A recent development in the pharmaceutical industry has caused concern among health regulators in six African countries.
A batch of children’s cough syrup manufactured by Johnson & Johnson in 2021 has been recalled after Nigeria’s drug agency discovered high levels of a toxic and potentially fatal substance.
The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Nigeria issued the initial recall of the Benylin Pediatric syrup after detecting the toxic substance Diethylene glycol.
This prompted other African countries, including Tanzania and Zimbabwe, to take precautionary measures and recall the syrup, despite Zimbabwe not having any record of the syrup being imported into the country.
Following Nigeria’s lead, the pharmacy board in Kenya also ordered a stop in the sale of the syrup, leading to further recalls in South Africa and Rwanda. The toxic substance Diethylene glycol has been linked to the recent deaths of children in Cameroon and The Gambia, highlighting the serious risks associated with its consumption.
The recalled batch of Benylin Paediatric syrup, marked with an expiry date of April 2024, was manufactured in South Africa and sold in several African countries. Kenvue, the current owner of the syrup brand, has stated that it is collaborating with authorities and conducting its own tests to address the issue.
