Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has revoked the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification of Aveo Pharmaceuticals, an Indian pharmaceutical company, after investigations linked it to the illegal distribution of opioid-based medications in West Africa.

As part of the crackdown, the FDA has also directed Samos Pharma, a Ghana-based importer, to terminate all business relations with Aveo Pharmaceuticals and Westfin International. Additionally, the registration of six products from Masters Pharmaceutical Limited, which intended to use Aveo as a contract manufacturer, has been suspended.

The FDA reaffirmed its commitment to fighting opioid abuse, citing ongoing enforcement measures such as seizures, fines, and prosecutions of unauthorized drug distributors. It assured the public that collaboration with law enforcement agencies would be strengthened to prevent the entry of harmful pharmaceuticals into the country.

This action signals Ghana’s firm regulatory stance on illicit drug trafficking and underscores its commitment to public health and safety.

PSGH Calls for Full Investigation

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) has condemned the illegal importation of dangerous opioids and called for a thorough investigation into the matter.

The Society has urged multiple agencies—including the FDA, the Pharmacy Council, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, the Narcotics Control Authority, and the National Intelligence Bureau—to probe the issue and hold those responsible accountable.

"If any local pharmaceutical company is found to have breached regulatory protocols, appropriate sanctions should be enforced to maintain the integrity of the pharmaceutical supply chain in Ghana," PSGH stated in a press release issued on February 24.

This call follows revelations from a BBC Africa Eye investigation that exposed how unapproved opioids are being smuggled into Ghana and other West African nations. PSGH noted that despite existing regulations, Ghana has become a transit hub for these illicit substances. The Society is urging authorities to tighten border security, impose harsher penalties, and collaborate with international agencies to curb the growing opioid crisis.

Warning of the dangers posed by substances like tapentadol and carisoprodol, PSGH highlighted their severe health risks, including addiction and socio-economic harm.

BBC Africa Eye Exposes Illicit Trade

A BBC Africa Eye investigation uncovered that Aveo Pharmaceuticals, based in Mumbai, has been producing unlicensed, highly addictive opioids that are illegally exported to West Africa. These drugs, packaged to resemble legitimate medications, contain a dangerous combination of tapentadol, a powerful opioid, and carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant banned in Europe due to its addictive properties.

The combination, which is not licensed for medical use anywhere in the world, can cause severe side effects, including respiratory distress, seizures, and fatal overdoses. Despite these risks, the drugs have gained popularity as cheap, readily available street substances in Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d'Ivoire.