₦airaland Forum

Blacklisting of Aveo Pharmaceuticals and Banning of Tapentadol and Carisoprodol Combination – Tafrodol or Royal 225

A company named Aveo Pharmaceuticals, based in the outskirts of Mumbai, managed by Vinod Sharma is involved in the production, sale and exportation of a range of addiction pills containing a harmful mix of Tapentadol (a powerful opioid), and Carisoprodol, a banned muscle relaxant with addictive properties that can cause overdose, or death. The mix comes as Tafrodol or Royal 225.

The BBC World Service investigation revealed that packets of these brands, branded with the Aveo logo, have been on sale on the streets of Ghana, Nigeria, and Cote D’Ivoire towns and cities. Aveo Pharmaceuticals, India is also implicated in the manufacture of high dose tramadol for export to countries in West Africa, including Nigeria.

This press briefing is to inform the public that NAFDAC has never registered Tafrodol or Royal 225 or a strength of tramadol greater that 100 mg (the prescription strength), or any product manufactured by Aveo Pharmaceuticals Pvt Limited. Therefore, drawing from the NAFDAC Act Cap N.1 LFN 2004 and the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act Cap C.34 LFN 2004, NAFDAC has decided to BLACKLIST AVEO Pharmaceuticals Pvt Limited. We have also put in place measures to prevent future registration of any product manufactured by this company.

The public is therefore advised to support NAFDAC’s fight against fake, substandard and falsified pharmaceutical products. They are also advised to avoid the use of unregistered products and consumption of medicines without prescription from trained medical practitioners. This is to assure the public that NAFDAC will continue to deploy various methods to ensure that only quality, safe and efficacious medicines are available for distribution, sale and use within Nigeria.

An undercover operative sent inside the factory, posing as an African businessman looking to supply opioids to Nigeria with a hidden camera recorded his interaction with Vinod Sharma who confessed to exportation of large consignments of these combination of drugs across West Africa and their distribution for abuse as street drugs and opioids.

This combination of drugs is not licensed for use anywhere in the world, neither is it registered by NAFDAC and can cause breathing difficulties and seizures. An overdose can kill. Despite the risks, these opioids are popular as street drugs in many West African countries, because they are so cheap and widely available.

NAFDAC has consistently worked to ensure that public health is protected through the entrenchment of International best practices during product registration, which include dossier reviews, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) inspections, and laboratory analysis of products intended for registration. We also have Post Marketing Surveillance activities and Pre-shipment Inspection Scheme also called the Clean Report of Inspection and Analysis (CRIA) Scheme for high-risk countries like India.

These measures are there to support NAFDAC’s efforts at prevention of import and distribution of substandard, fake, and falsified pharmaceutical products in Nigeria.

Key findings

1️⃣ Aveo Pharmaceuticals, India, managed by Vinod Sharma is involved in the production and illegal exportation of Tapentadol to countries in West Africa, including Nigeria.

2️⃣ Aveo Pharmaceuticals is implicated in the manufacture and illegal exportation of Tramadol doses above 100mg, particularly 250mg.

3️⃣ The illegal opioid brands come in different brand names such as Tafrodol, Royal-225 etc.

4️⃣ The illegal brands carry the logo of Aveo pharmaceuticals.

5️⃣ The illegal opioids are street drugs causing opioid dependence in Nigeria, Ghana and other West African countries.

We have intensified our enforcement activities against the sale of illicit and counterfeit pharmaceuticals across major distribution channels and hubs across the country and this will continue to happen to make Nigeria an uncomfortable place to engage in such unethical and unapproved distribution of fake, substandard and falsified pharmaceutical products. We are also working with other regulatory authorities and security agencies to curb the entry into Nigeria through our borders and thereby prevent the distribution and circulation of these dangerous products.

With the partnership of the public, NAFDAC will continue to carry out the major mandate of safeguarding the health of Nigerians.

Thank you.

Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye FAS
Director General

LAMATA, NRC Forge Closer Ties for Seamless Rail Operations, and Opeifa Pledges Full Support

In a move to strengthen collaboration and ensure the seamless operation of rail services, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) paid a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, today.

The LAMATA delegation, led by Managing Director Engr. Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, included Director of Rail Transport, Engr. Olasunkanmi Okusaga, Corporate Legal Secretary, Mrs. Abiola Ajayi and Head, Corporate Communication Kolawole Ojelabi.

What began as a courtesy call quickly evolved into a productive working session, as both LAMATA and NRC management teams identified and discussed critical issues requiring immediate attention.

The central focus of the discussions was the operational synergy between LAMATA and the NRC on the Blue and Red Line rail projects which it granted operational licences in 2024.

Dr. Opeifa assured LAMATA of the NRC's unwavering support, emphasising the importance of successful rail operations for Lagos residents and Nigerians at large. He urged his management team to prioritise cooperation and efficiency.

The NRC MD commended LAMATA for its pioneering role in establishing the Blue Line and its innovative partnership on the Red Line project. He highlighted the agency's achievements as a benchmark for other states, aligning them with the federal government's "Renewed Hope" agenda, which prioritises support for key state-level infrastructure initiatives.

#LAMATA #KeepingLagosmoving #lasg

Fed Govt is committed to modern train development, says Opeifa

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC),@info_NRC Dr Kayode Opeifa, has reiterated the commitment of the federal government to the sustenance of modern train development.

He said this while playing host to the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (@Lamataonline Engr Mrs Abimbola Akinajo), who led top management of the agency on a courtesy visit.

Opeifa said the @officialABAT administration would in the coming month unveil its plans on the development of railway infrastructure.

He disclosed further that the Federal Government under the Renewed Hope Agenda would put its full weight behind all state governments willing to develop intra-city rail networks from the national rail corridor in their state.

Opeifa lauded the Lagos State Government which through LAMATA has been operating the Red and the Blue train lines, based on the licenses issued by the Corporation, adding that LAMATA is proving to the world that nothing is impossible.

“The Blue line is an example that nothing is impossible. That is a line that runs exclusively on electricity and LAMATA has been able to keep it in operation for two years non-stop. In the next five years a lot of things will change in this country and soon, Nigerians will be able to even enjoy a new generation rail system. "In our generation, we shall be able to operate all modes of modern rail systems comparable to anywhere in the world,” Opeifa added.

The Managing Director who lamented that Nigeria built about 3,500 kilometres of rail tracks in 60 years and stopped for another 60 years, said this administration under its Renewed Hope Agenda is determined to put a stop to that and ensure that it sustain massive investments on rail transportation infrastructure.

He said as facilitator of trade and business, the corporation will continue to give priority to areas that would lessen the burden of transportation on the people, reduce poverty, and lower the rising inflation, adding that he looked forward to the time when all states of the federation will be able to run train Services round the clock, which would lessen the burden on the NRC and allow it to concentrate on freight movements.

He disclosed that he would continue to give Lagos State and other federating states expeditious approvals and partner with those interested in investing in rail developments.

He disclosed that four more states - Plateau, Niger, Bauchi, and Ogun States - are at various stages of readiness to join Lagos State as train-friendly states.

Opeifa, who was excited to receive the LAMATA team, said as a Lagosian, he is determined to push the corporation to continue to support all LAMATA’s initiatives, adding that with him at the helm of affairs at NRC, Lagos should consider the corporation as a ready and willing partner.

In her own remarks, LAMATA’s Managing Director Mrs Abimbola Akinajo said her team had considered it necessary to pay the new NRC Managing Director a visit because of the cordial relationship between the Corporation and LAMATA.

She said LAMATA is happy that a Lagosian and a member of the LAMATA family is now at the helm of affairs at the NRC.

“We are happy about your appointment and we are looking forward to more fruitful working relationship with the NRC. We are happy that both the NRC and LAMATA are driven by the passion to make rail transportation a viable alternative for Nigerians.

She said Lagos State has continued to make judicious use of the licences given to the state for both the Red and Blue Line as well as the track access approval granted it on the Red Line.

“We decided to pay you a visit and warmly welcome you back into the transportation family, knowing that under you, the Nigerian Railway Corporation would continue to play a major role in Lagos State’s transportation initiatives, especially relating to the rail development,” Mrs Akinajo said.

Yet another Lenten Season

Most Rev.(Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins
March 3, 2025

As we enter this season of Lent, I wish to implore us to see it as another opportunity, not just as another Lenten season. It is possible that many older Catholics, who are just counting the liturgical seasons, may see this Lenten season as yet another Lenten season like the ones they had last year and years before. This will not enable them to reap the fruits of the season.

Though the season is familiar, we must approach it and live it with new minds and expectations. This is because the grace and mercy of God are “new every morning” (Lam. 3:22-23). So, He has designed this Lenten season as a new and different encounter. And in this encounter, much depends on our disposition. We know that every encounter with Jesus brings about a positive result. We will recall the encounter of the first disciples of Jesus in Jn. 1:35-51; Zacchaeus in Lk. 19:1-10; the two blind men in Matt. 20:29-34; the Canaanite woman in Matt. 15;21- 28; the paralytic in Mk. 2:1-12; the demoniacs in Lk. 8:26-39; the ten lepers in Lk. 17:11-19.

All of these and other encounters with Jesus always bring about a change, a positive change and a better life. A good disposition towards this Lenten season will bring us this encounter that will definitely yield fruitful spiritual growth and abundant blessing.

• Most Rev.(Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins is the Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos.

femi4:
In democracy, the executive don't act as a dictator

2. Saudi owns the religion

naptu2:
Hey! This post almost did my head in! I don't understand what you wrote or what language it is in, but I'll take the opportunity to explain the very simple things in my post.

In Nigeria, secondary education is in the residual list which means that the primary responsibility for managing secondary education lies with state governments. State governments set the dates for the school term, etc. Most of the public secondary schools are also owned by the state.

You see, in a constitutional democracy, there are separate areas of control. There are things that are reserved for the federal government, things reserved for the state and things reserved for the local government (just as there is separation of power between the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government).

naptu2:
Ha!

I think ****** and the other people on this thread are not being serious. It's probably some joke or something.

They have not made one solid point, they have not rebutted anything, they've just been jumping from sharia to Saudi to Lagos speaker and other things that have nothing to do with my post. I am not even sure that they are capable of understanding my posts.

Obviously engaging them is a waste of time and I shall stop wasting my time now. I am not going to read or respond to their posts anymore.

naptu2:
I wanted my driver to drive in a certain way back when I was a kid and he was taking me to school. I guess I had the idea that he was Mario Andretti. I always wanted him to overtake other cars, I never wanted him to give way to other cars and I always wanted him to go above 100KMPH on the expressway.

Now I'm an adult and I don't drive the way that I wanted my driver to drive.

Similarly, there are many people that think that being in government is easy. They think that they have all the answers and know all the solutions and that the solutions are easy. They have this view because they have never been in government. Their view always changes if and when they actually get to be in government.

naptu2:
I have posted about this many years ago and I've wanted to post about it again in recent times, but I haven't had the time. This tweet is such a perfect example that it explains everything that I wanted to say.

There are many people that keep talking about what they would do if they became president and the truth of the matter is that these people do not know what they are talking about. In fact, most of them will fail woefully if they are ever elected president. That's because they do not know what the duties of the president are and what the limitations on the powers of the president are. I believe that most of these people will spend their tenure fighting other people because they will try to do other people's jobs and those other people will not allow them.


What am I talking about?

Well, Nigeria is a federation, but most Nigerians do not know this. There are certain things that are the exclusive preserve of the Federal Government, but there are also things that are the exclusive preserve of the state and local governments and the Federal Government cannot get involved in those things without the permission of the states and local governments. Many people do not know this.

That's why people will post the education budget of Ghana and post the budget of the Federal Ministry of Education and try to compare the two. For God's sake Nigeria is a federation while Ghana is not! The education budget of Ghana is the total sum of money that the government of Ghana spends on education. The budget of the Federal Ministry of Education is not the total sum of money that governments in Nigeria spend on education. That's because most of the government owned schools in Nigeria are owned by state and local governments and state and local governments have their own budgets!

I remember when Bill Gates analysed the Federal Government's Economic Growth Recovery Plan and stated that he saw a lot of good things about physical infrastructure (roads, rail, etc) but he didn't see enough about human infrastructure (education, healthcare, etc). Governor Nasir El-Rufai then explained that in Nigeria, most of the things that constitute human infrastructure are under the purview of states and local governments. Some very ignorant people criticised El-Rufai and asked who he was to talk when Bill Gates was talking.


There are certain people that are always trying to be elected president and although these people are popular in some circles, I am convinced that Nigeria will be doomed if they ever get elected because they will spend their entire tenure fighting with state and local governments and with the National Assembly because they do not know the duties of the president and the limitations on his power.

femi4:
Both
Did the Governor consult anyone before taking such decision

Even in Saudi, they schools ain't locked down

tollyboy5:
So simple, if you can point where in the constitution it is legal to deny student of their right to learn and wrong if some says he'll defend student right as a president

tollyboy5:
Under the constitutional democracy that allows an impeached speaker remain in Lagos.
Under constitutional democracy that allow Buhari arrest cjn and install his corrupt puppet

Mrchippychappy:
It stil amazes me till this day how someone so stupid and biased was made a moderator on Nairaland

MasterJayJay:
Should sharia court exist in a secular country that practices democracy?