South African Health Products Regulatory Authority has announced the recall of batches of Johnson & Johnson’s children’s cough syrup due to elevated levels of diethylene glycol, a toxic substance.
The affected batches were distributed in South Africa, Eswatini, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria, according to a statement released on Saturday.
The recall
This recall comes after the Nigerian health regulator reported the presence of the toxin in a batch of Benylin Paediatric Syrup earlier in the week.
- Kenya and Nigeria have already initiated recalls for the same syrup, commonly used in the treatment of hay fever and other upper respiratory tract allergic conditions.
- The presence of high levels of diethylene glycol in cough syrup has been associated with numerous child fatalities in Gambia, Uzbekistan, and Cameroon since 2022, marking one of the most severe outbreaks of poisoning from oral medications worldwide.
Kenvue (KVUE.N), the current custodian of the Benylin brand since its split from Johnson & Johnson in 2023, has remained silent amidst mounting inquiries regarding the recall of children’s cough syrup.
The recalled batch, produced by Johnson & Johnson in South Africa in May 2021 with an expiration date of April 2024, is currently under intense scrutiny by regulatory bodies.
Their primary objective is to ensure public safety and avert potential health risks associated with the consumption of the affected syrup.
What you should know
The recall was initiated following an announcement on April 10th, 2024, by Nigeria’s drug regulatory authority, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
NAFDAC’s declaration highlighted concerns over Benylin pediatric syrup, manufactured by Johnson & Johnson.
Laboratory analysis of the implicated batch, identified by the number 329304, revealed alarming levels of diethylene glycol.
This toxic compound is notorious for inducing severe symptoms upon ingestion, including abdominal pain, vomiting, and acute kidney injury.
