Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) of Ghana has suspended the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification of Aveo Pharmaceuticals, an Indian drug manufacturer.
This decision comes on the heels of a BBC Africa Eye investigation, which exposed Aveo Pharmaceuticals’ alleged involvement in the illegal distribution of opioid-based medications to West Africa.
The investigation revealed that Aveo Pharmaceuticals, through its distributor Westfin International, exported unapproved drugs containing tapentadol and carisoprodol to Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire. These highly addictive opioids pose significant health risks, including respiratory failure and death when abused.
In response to the exposé, the FDA has taken swift action, directing Samos Pharma, a Ghana-based importer, to immediately sever ties with Aveo Pharmaceuticals and Westfin International. Additionally, the registration process for six pharmaceutical products from Masters Pharmaceutical Limited, which intended to use Aveo Pharmaceuticals as a contract manufacturer, has been put on hold.
The FDA has emphasized the importance of strict compliance with drug safety protocols, warning that any company involved in illegal pharmaceutical distribution will face severe consequences. The agency has reaffirmed its commitment to combating opioid abuse, stressing that its enforcement measures include seizures, fines, and legal action against unauthorized drug distributors.
This decisive action reinforces Ghana’s stance against illicit drug trafficking and highlights the country’s ongoing efforts to protect public health from harmful and unregulated medications.
