The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has blacklisted Indian pharmaceutical company, Aveo Pharmaceuticals Pvt Limited, for manufacturing and exporting highly addictive and dangerous pills capable of causing severe health risks, including death.
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, announced the ban at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, revealing that the Mumbai-based firm had been implicated in the production of opioid-based drugs with lethal potential.
The company is accused of producing and exporting pills containing Tapentadol, a powerful opioid, and Carisoprodol, a banned muscle relaxant with high addiction risks. These drugs, sold under the brand names Tafrodol and Royal 225, have been linked to overdose cases and fatal consequences.
A recent BBC investigation exposed the circulation of these dangerous pills in Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire, all bearing Aveo Pharmaceuticals’ branding. Additionally, the firm is allegedly involved in producing high-dose Tramadol for illegal distribution in West Africa.
Prof. Adeyeye clarified that NAFDAC has never registered Tafrodol, Royal 225, or any tramadol product exceeding 100mg, nor has it ever approved any drugs from Aveo Pharmaceuticals.
Citing the NAFDAC Act Cap N.1 LFN 2004 and the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs Act Cap C.34 LFN 2004, the agency officially blacklisted Aveo Pharmaceuticals and announced that it would not consider registering any of its products in the future.
She urged the public to avoid unregistered medicines and only use drugs prescribed by licensed medical professionals, emphasizing NAFDAC’s commitment to fighting counterfeit and substandard pharmaceuticals.
