Africa

BBC: Indian Pharma Giant Fueling West African Opioid Crisis

Published FEB 22 2025

Story

Above: The facade entrance of the Phebe Hospital, Bong Town, central Liberia, is pictured on May 27, 2019. Image credit: ZOOM DOSSO/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

The Facts

Mumbai-based Aveo Pharmaceuticals has allegedly been manufacturing and illegally exporting unlicensed opioids to West Africa, containing a combination of tapentadol and carisoprodol not approved for use anywhere in the world and that can cause fatal overdoses.
Arbiterz
ThePrint
BBC's undercover investigation appeared to capture one of Aveo's directors, Vinod Sharma, acknowledging the drugs' harmful effects while promoting their sale, stating, "This is very harmful for health, but nowadays, this is business."
Observer Voice
BBC News
The opioid crisis affects approximately 4M Nigerians, with the BBC claiming Aveo and its sister company, Westfin International, ship millions of tablets to Ghana and other West African countries through various distribution networks.
Businessday NG
BBC News
Meanwhile, in Tamale, Ghana, local chief Alhassan Maham has formed a volunteer task force to combat the crisis by conducting raids on drug dealers and removing these pills from the streets. In Nigeria, drug enforcement agencies are also cracking down on illegal opioid distribution networks.
Leadership News
The combination of tapentadol and carisoprodol creates severe withdrawal symptoms and can lead to respiratory failure and death, according to Dr. Lekhansh Shukla from India's National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences.
Observer Voice
Research Gate
Indian regulations prohibit pharmaceutical companies from manufacturing and exporting unlicensed drugs unless they meet importing countries' standards, making Aveo's alleged exports to Ghana illegal under Indian law.
Deccan Herald
BBC News

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

India has a strong pharmaceutical regulatory system, and exports to other countries are closely monitored. The importing countries should also ensure they have similarly responsible regulatory systems rather than doubt India's manufacturers providing essential medications to millions worldwide through legitimate channels.

Mohfw

Vanguard Nigeria

Narrative B

By exploiting regulatory weaknesses in vulnerable nations, Aveo's illegal opioid trade is devastating communities across West Africa and destroying young lives, while knowingly profiting from human suffering. The world, especially the West, must exert stronger diplomatic pressure on India to hold Aveo accountable.