Tafrodol

23/02/2025 · by · in neuropsychiatry · Leave a comment

Key Points

  • Dr. Vinod Sharma is a director at Aveo Pharmaceuticals in Mumbai, involved in exporting illegal opioids to Ghana.
  • Aveo Pharma was exposed for manufacturing and exporting unlicensed, addictive drugs like Tafrodol, causing a public health crisis in West Africa.
  • The BBC investigation revealed these drugs, containing tapentadol and carisoprodol, are not licensed globally and can be deadly.
  • Indian authorities have banned these drug combinations and raided Aveo Pharma’s factory in response.

Background

Dr. Vinod Sharma serves as a director at Aveo Pharmaceuticals Private Limited, based in Mumbai, India. This company has been at the center of a scandal involving the illegal export of highly addictive opioids to West Africa, particularly Ghana.

The Scandal

Aveo Pharma was found to be manufacturing and exporting unlicensed opioids, including a dangerous mix of tapentadol (a potent opioid) and carisoprodol (a muscle relaxant banned in Europe for its addictiveness). These drugs, sold under brand names like Tafrodol, TimaKing, and Super Royal-225, are not approved for use anywhere in the world and can cause severe health issues, including breathing difficulties, seizures, and fatal overdoses. The BBC’s investigation highlighted their widespread availability as cheap street drugs in West Africa, fueling a public health crisis, especially among young people in Ghana.

BBC Investigation

The BBC conducted an undercover operation, capturing footage of Dr. Vinod Sharma admitting the drugs’ harm but dismissing it as “business.” This investigation exposed Aveo Pharma’s role in exporting millions of these tablets to Ghana and other countries, with significant impacts in cities like Tamale, where addiction has devastated communities.

Response and Actions

Following the BBC’s report, Indian authorities took swift action. They banned all combinations of tapentadol and carisoprodol, raided Aveo Pharma’s factory, seized its stock, and issued a show cause notice, aiming to curb the illegal export and address the global health crisis.

Surprising Detail: Regulatory Oversight

It’s surprising that Aveo Pharma, reportedly certified by the World Health Organization, was involved in such practices, raising questions about international pharmaceutical regulation and oversight.

Comprehensive Report on Dr. Vinod Sharma and Aveo Pharma’s Involvement in Illegal Drug Exports to Ghana

This report delves into the detailed findings surrounding Dr. Vinod Sharma’s role at Aveo Pharmaceuticals Private Limited and the company’s implication in the illegal export of addictive opioids to Ghana, as uncovered by a BBC investigation. It provides a thorough analysis of the scandal, its impact, and the subsequent actions taken, aiming to offer a complete picture for stakeholders and the public.

Introduction

Aveo Pharmaceuticals Private Limited, based in Mumbai, India, has been identified as a key player in the manufacturing and export of unlicensed, highly addictive opioids to West Africa, with a significant focus on Ghana. The company’s activities came under scrutiny following a BBC Eye investigation, which revealed the severe public health crisis these drugs have caused. Dr. Vinod Sharma, a director at the company, was directly implicated in discussions about these illegal exports.

Company Background and Leadership

Aveo Pharmaceuticals Private Limited was established in 2015 and is engaged in the pharmaceutical industry, with a focus on manufacturing various formulations. Its registered office is in Thane, Maharashtra, India, and it has facilities in Mumbai and Palghar. The company’s directors include Arvind Awadhnath Sharma, Arvinda Kumar Sharma, and Vinod Kumar Sharma. Dr. Vinod Sharma’s specific role and qualifications are less clear from public records, but he is noted as a director involved in operational decisions, including export activities.

From available data, Aveo Pharma has an authorized capital of Rs 7.00 crore and a paid-up capital of Rs 3.50 crore, with active operations and recent financial filings up to March 2023. The company’s involvement in exports, particularly to West Africa, has been a point of contention, especially given the nature of the products exported.

The BBC Investigation: Uncovering Illegal Opioid Exports

The BBC Eye investigation, published on February 21, 2025, exposed Aveo Pharma’s role in fueling an opioid crisis in West Africa, particularly in Ghana, Nigeria, and Cote d’Ivoire. The investigation revealed that Aveo was manufacturing and exporting pills containing a harmful combination of tapentadol, a powerful opioid, and carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant banned in Europe due to its addictive properties. This combination is not licensed for use anywhere globally and poses significant health risks, including breathing difficulties, seizures, and potentially fatal overdoses.

The BBC’s undercover operation involved posing as African businessmen seeking to supply opioids to Nigeria. During these interactions, Dr. Vinod Sharma, a director at Aveo, was captured on hidden camera discussing the company’s products. He laid out packets of pills, including Tafrodol (the most popular brand), TimaKing, and Super Royal-225, and admitted that the drugs were “very harmful” but stated, “this is business.” This footage highlighted the company’s awareness of the drugs’ dangers yet their willingness to continue exporting for profit.

Publicly available export data showed that Aveo Pharmaceuticals, along with its sister company Westfin International, was shipping millions of these tablets to Ghana and other West African countries. In Ghana, particularly in Tamale, the drugs have become widely available as street drugs, leading to a public health emergency. Community leader Alhassan Maham described the situation as “a fire fed by kerosene,” with addicts reporting that the drugs have “wasted our lives.”

Impact in Ghana and West Africa

The impact of these illegal opioids in Ghana has been devastating, especially among young people. In Tamale, the proliferation of drugs like Tafrodol has led to widespread addiction, with local authorities and community leaders struggling to combat the crisis. The BBC found evidence of these pills being seized by police in Ghana and sold on the streets, often dissolved in alcoholic energy drinks to enhance their effects.

Nigeria, with a population of 225 million, is another major market, with an estimated four million Nigerians abusing opioids, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa, Chairman of Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, described the crisis as “devastating our youths, our families—it’s in every community in Nigeria.” Similar issues were reported in Cote d’Ivoire, indicating a regional public health emergency driven by these illegal exports.

Regulatory and Legal Actions

Following the BBC investigation, Indian authorities took immediate action to address the issue. On February 23, 2025, India’s Drugs Controller General, Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, issued a circular banning all combinations of tapentadol and carisoprodol, citing the BBC investigation and the potential for drug abuse and harmful impact on the population. This ban was implemented with immediate effect, withdrawing permission to manufacture and export these drugs.

Additionally, Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration, following directives from the Central government, raided Aveo Pharma’s factory in Palghar. The raid resulted in the seizure of the company’s entire stock, a prohibition on further production, and the issuance of a show cause notice. Legal action has been initiated against the company to address its role in the illegal export of opioids.

Aveo Pharma’s Response and Oversight Concerns

Aveo Pharmaceuticals and Dr. Vinod Sharma did not respond to the BBC’s allegations, despite being given the opportunity. This lack of response has raised questions about accountability. The Indian drugs regulator, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), stated that it recognizes its responsibility towards global public health and is committed to ensuring a strong pharmaceutical regulatory system. It emphasized that exports are closely monitored and recently tightened regulations are enforced, calling for importing countries to have similarly robust systems.

It is particularly concerning that Aveo Pharma was reportedly certified by the World Health Organization, highlighting potential gaps in international oversight and the need for stronger regulatory mechanisms to prevent such malpractices.

Financial and Operational Details

Aveo Pharma’s financials show significant growth, with a 21.73% increase in revenue for the financial year ended 2021, though profitability decreased by 6.42%. The company has active open charges totaling Rs 14.27 crore, indicating ongoing financial operations. Its involvement in exports, particularly to West Africa, has been a key part of its business strategy, but the illegal nature of these exports has now come under scrutiny.

Table: Key Details of Aveo Pharma and the Scandal

AspectDetails Company Name Aveo Pharmaceuticals Private Limited Location Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Directors Arvind Awadhnath Sharma, Arvinda Kumar Sharma, Vinod Kumar Sharma Illegal Products Tapentadol and Carisoprodol combinations (e.g., Tafrodol, TimaKing) Export Destinations Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire Health Risks Breathing difficulties, seizures, fatal overdoses BBC Investigation Date February 21, 2025 Indian Authority Action Ban on drug combinations, factory raid, stock seizure (February 23, 2025) Public Health Impact Addiction crisis, especially among youth in Ghana and Nigeria

Conclusion

The scandal involving Dr. Vinod Sharma and Aveo Pharma underscores the dangers of unregulated pharmaceutical exports and their devastating impact on public health in West Africa. The BBC investigation has prompted swift action from Indian authorities, but the lack of response from Aveo Pharma and the involvement of a WHO-certified company highlight the need for enhanced global and local oversight to prevent such crises in the future.

This report provides a comprehensive overview, ensuring all stakeholders are informed of the details, impacts, and responses to this critical issue.

Key Citations

Tags:

Leave a comment