Kenya has followed Nigeria’s lead in recalling Johnson & Johnson’s children’s cough syrup, citing concerns over potentially harmful levels of a toxic substance. The Kenya Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) announced the recall just a day after Nigeria’s health regulator took similar action with the Benylin Paediatric brand. According to Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), laboratory tests revealed elevated levels of diethylene glycol in the cough syrup, a substance linked to numerous child fatalities in Gambia, Uzbekistan, and Cameroon since 2022. This alarming discovery underscores the urgent need for heightened vigilance and regulatory measures to protect consumers from dangerous medications.
“Benylin Paediatric syrup is indicated for the relief of cough and its congestive symptoms and for the treatment of hay fever and other allergic conditions in children aged 2 to 12 years.
“Diethylene glycol is toxic to humans when consumed and can prove fatal. Toxic effects can include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state, and acute kidney injury which may lead to death,” NAFDAC In a statement published on its website.
The recall of the children’s cough syrup in both Kenya and Nigeria highlights the importance of robust regulatory measures and effective oversight in ensuring the safety of pharmaceutical products. Concerns over the quality and safety of medications, particularly those intended for children, underscore the need for stringent quality control standards and vigilant monitoring by regulatory agencies. By taking proactive measures to address suspected safety issues, authorities in Kenya and Nigeria are demonstrating their commitment to safeguarding public health and maintaining consumer confidence in the pharmaceutical industry.
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