NAFDAC has blacklisted India-based Aveo Pharmaceuticals and banned its opioid drugs, Tafrodol and Royal 225, over safety concerns. The agency warns against the illegal sale of unregistered medications, linking the company to drug abuse in West Africa. Authorities vow stricter enforcement to combat dangerous pharmaceuticals in Nigeria.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has officially blacklisted Aveo Pharmaceuticals, an Indian-based company, over its involvement in the illegal production and export of unregistered opioid medications to West Africa.
NAFDAC’s decision follows an investigation that uncovered the distribution of two harmful drugs, Tafrodol and Royal 225, which contain Tapentadol—a potent opioid—and Carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant known for its addictive properties. These substances, which have not been approved for medical use in Nigeria, were found circulating on the streets, posing severe health risks, including overdose and death.
A BBC report revealed that Aveo Pharmaceuticals, managed by Vinod Sharma, has been supplying these drugs to multiple West African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d'Ivoire. Undercover footage also captured Sharma admitting to exporting large consignments of these opioids, which have gained popularity as cheap street drugs.
NAFDAC has clarified that it has never registered these products or approved any medication from Aveo Pharmaceuticals. As a result, the agency has implemented strict measures to prevent the company from gaining future approvals in Nigeria. Authorities are also intensifying efforts to curb the distribution of counterfeit and unregulated medications across the country.
The agency urges the public to avoid unregistered drugs and supports ongoing efforts to eliminate fake pharmaceuticals. NAFDAC remains committed to protecting public health by enforcing stringent drug safety regulations and collaborating with security agencies to prevent the illegal importation of dangerous substances.
