Since BBC Eye Investigations uncovered the issue of opioid importation to certain West African countries, particularly Ghana, your respected platform, Adomonline.com, has been actively covering the ongoing developments, given the numerous responses from stakeholders.
To help clarify the situation and identify potential accountability, we present a timeline of key events:
January 20, 2025 – Tom Watson, editor of BBC Eye Investigations, contacts Samospharma requesting their response to evidence suggesting their involvement in importing millions of opioid pills, including an unlicensed drug, Tafrodol Caps 120mg, into Ghana from Indian suppliers.
January 27, 2025 – Samospharma Limited responds to BBC Eye Investigations, denying the allegations.
They state, “Samospharma Limited and its subsidiaries have no record of any product containing the combination of tapentadol and carisoprodol, nor have we ever engaged in activities involving illegal or recreational drugs. Any claim suggesting otherwise is completely unfounded and deeply troubling to us as a company dedicated to improving access and outcomes in Ghana.”
Note: Samospharma response was issued 7 days after the BBC Eye Investigations made contact
January 28, 2025 – Samospharma files an official complaint with the Director-General of the CID of the Ghana Police Service, alleging that their company has been impersonated in the illegal importation of unlicensed and unauthorized medications. They request the police to “conduct a thorough investigation into this matter to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.”
Note: Samospharma Limited’s complaint to police was made 26 days prior to BBC’s release of the documentary.
January 29, 2025 – Tom Watson, editor of BBC Eye Investigations, sends a second letter to Samospharma, questioning their denial of the allegations.
He demands that they provide “all Bills of Orders from Aveo Pharmaceuticals and Westfin International, all approvals for the importation of consignments by the Ghana FDA related to Aveo Pharmaceuticals and Westfin International, and a list of clients who purchased Tafrodol or similar products imported by Samospharma Limited from Aveo Pharmaceuticals and Westfin International.”
Samospharma did not respond to this second BBC Eye Investigations letter.
February 3, 2025 – Samospharma Limited writes to the Indian High Commission, reiterating their complaint about impersonation.
They request that the Commission conduct “a thorough and prompt investigation into this matter” and that the findings, including the identities of those responsible for the impersonation and illegal activities, be shared with them.
Note: India High Commision to Ghana is yet to make any statement on the issue or communicate any outcome of its investigation if they ever initiated any at all.
February 22, 2025 – BBC Eye Investigations releases its documentary on the issue.