Recent actions taken by Indian authorities aim to dismantle illegal opioid trafficking sparked by a BBC investigation.
**India Criminalizes Two Opioids Linked to West Africa's Drug Crisis**
**India Criminalizes Two Opioids Linked to West Africa's Drug Crisis**
India enforces a ban on opioids responsible for addiction issues in West Africa following an investigative report.
India has enacted an immediate ban on two dangerous opioids, tapentadol and carisoprodol, after an investigative report by the BBC highlighted their role in a public health crisis across parts of West Africa. This move arises from the findings of the BBC Eye investigation that exposed the illegal exportation of a potent combination of these drugs by a Mumbai-based pharmaceutical company named Aveo.
In a communication obtained by the BBC, Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, India's Drugs Controller General, confirmed the revocation of Aveo's permission to manufacture and export the drugs, which came into effect promptly. The decision closely follows a raid on Aveo’s Mumbai factory, which led to the seizure of their entire stock.
The drugs in question pose serious health risks. Tapentadol is a strong opioid, while carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant associated with high addiction potential and banned in Europe. It is legally permitted in the United States only for short-term use, yet its combination with tapentadol poses significant dangers, including respiratory issues and seizures.
Despite these dangers, the combination of these opioids has gained popularity as a street drug in West Africa, largely due to its low cost and high availability. Reports indicate that Aveo Pharmaceuticals, along with its affiliated company Westfin International, has exported millions of these drugs to countries such as Ghana and Nigeria, which has a population nearing 225 million.
Nigerian health statistics suggest about four million of its citizens are grappling with some form of opioid addiction. The BBC's investigation utilized undercover reporting, revealing footage of Aveo's director, Vinod Sharma, acknowledging the harmful nature of their product, while also discussing its appeal to teenagers seeking a "high."
Following the investigation, India’s Food and Drug Administration has affirmed its commitment to tackling illegal drug activities that compromise the nation's integrity. The FDA plans to conduct further inspections and is preparing for additional legal actions against companies like Aveo involved in the illicit drug trade. Their stance reflects a stringent approach to managing public health concerns and drug abuse in the region.
