The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has blacklisted Aveo Pharmaceuticals Pvt Limited, an Indian company, for producing and exporting highly dangerous and addictive pills linked to severe health risks, including death.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made the announcement at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, revealing that the company operates from the outskirts of Mumbai, India.
According to Adeyeye, the company is responsible for the production and export of highly addictive pills containing a hazardous combination of Tapentadol, a potent opioid, and Carisoprodol, a banned muscle relaxant with strong addictive properties.
The dangerous combination, marketed under the brand names Tafrodol and Royal 225, presents a significant risk of overdose and fatal consequences.
Adeyeye disclosed that a BBC World Service investigation uncovered the circulation of these harmful products in Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire, with the pills bearing Aveo’s branding.
She further revealed that Aveo Pharmaceuticals is also implicated in the manufacture of high-dose tramadol for export to West African countries, including Nigeria.
NAFDAC clarified that it has never registered Tafrodol, Royal 225, or any tramadol product exceeding 100mg. Furthermore, the agency has never approved any product 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, stating that it would no longer consider registering any of the company’s products in the future.
“The public is urged to support NAFDAC’s efforts in combating fake, substandard, and falsified pharmaceutical products by avoiding unregistered medicines and only using drugs prescribed by licensed medical professionals,” Adeyeye stated.
