Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 05:26am on 22 Feb 2025,Saturday India Global
A recent BBC Eye investigation has uncovered that Mumbai-based Aveo Pharmaceuticals is illicitly manufacturing and exporting unlicensed, addictive opioids to West Africa, exacerbating a significant public health crisis. The company produces pills combining tapentadol, a potent opioid, and carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant banned in Europe due to its high addictiveness. These dangerous drugs, packaged to resemble legitimate medications, have been found on the streets of Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire. Undercover footage reveals Aveo's director, Vinod Sharma, acknowledging the harmful effects of these pills, stating, "This is very harmful for their health—but nowadays, this is business." Local authorities in affected countries report widespread addiction among youth, with efforts underway to combat the illegal distribution of these substances. The Indian drug regulator has pledged immediate action against firms involved in such malpractice.
