The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has sanctioned Samos Pharma’s export partner, Aveo Pharmaceuticals, following a BBC Africa Eye investigation that exposed the company’s alleged role in the illegal distribution of opioid-based medications across West Africa.
The sanction involved the revocation of the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification of the company.
It has further directed Samos Pharma, a Ghanaian importer, to terminate all transactions with Aveo Pharmaceuticals and Westfin International.
The FDA has also suspended the registration process for six products from Masters Pharmaceutical Limited, which planned to use Aveo Pharmaceuticals as a contract manufacturer.
The BBC Africa Eye investigation claimed that Aveo Pharmaceuticals, through Westfin International, exported unapproved drugs containing tapentadol and carisoprodol—powerful and highly addictive opioids—to Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire.
The FDA assured the Ghanaian public that it will continue to intensify enforcement actions, including seizures, fines, and prosecutions of illegal drug distributors.
Meanwhile, watch as Nana Akomea, Kwesi Pratt clash on radio over public sector dismissals
