The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has responded to a recent BBC Africa Eye investigation that exposed the export of unapproved drugs containing tapentadol, a powerful opioid and carisoprodol by India's Aveo Pharmaceuticals to West African countries, including Ghana.
The investigative report uncovered that these drugs were exported through Westfin International to West Africa, particularly Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, and Ghana.
The FDA in its statement released on February 26 asserted that it has neither registered nor approved these substances for medical use within the nation.
Tapentadol, a potent opioid, and carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant, pose significant health risks, including addiction and severe side effects such as respiratory collapse and confusion.
