Johnson & Johnson toxic children’s cough syrup recalled in Kenya
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The PPB issues a decision after an alert regarding Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) recall of the medication used for hay fever and other allergic conditions in children aged two to 12.
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The Johnson & Johnson headquarters in New Brunswick, New Jersey, on Thursday, February 8, 2024. (AP)
The Kenyan Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) announces a recall for a batch of Johnson & Johnson children’s cough syrup, Benylin Pediatric, due to its unacceptable level of a potentially fatal toxic substance.
In its statement, the PPB issued its decision following an alert regarding Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) recall of the medication that is used for hay fever and other allergic conditions in children aged two to 12.
Johnson & Johnson manufactured the batch in South Africa in May 2021 with an expiration date of April 2024. Concerns have been raised about it potentially containing fatal levels of the contaminant diethylene glycol.
"The PPB advises all pharmaceutical outlets, healthcare facilities, healthcare workers and members of the public to immediately quarantine the product and stop distribution, sale, issuing or use of the product," the PPB board stated.
Read next: WHO urges 'immediate action' as more children die from cough syrups
In a notice on its website, NAFDAC said, "Laboratory analysis conducted on the product showed that it contains an unacceptable high level of diethylene glycol and was found to cause acute oral toxicity in laboratory animals."
Diethylene glycol is reported to cause abdominal pain, an inability to pass urine, and acute kidney damage, which may be fatal. The substance was linked to the deaths of several children in Gambia, Uzbekistan, and Cameroon since 2022 after they consumed Indian-made cough syrups.
This isn't Johnson & Johnson's first recall or grave blunder.
Thousands of lawsuits have been filed against J&J last year because of its baby talcum powder that may have contained traces of asbestos and was linked to ovarian cancer. The company put forth an $8.9 billion settlement offer to settle.
