Kenya recalls children's cough syrup due to toxicity fears

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - Kenya on Thursday recalled a specific batch of Johnson and Johnson children's cough syrup due to concerns about high levels of diethylene glycol, a potentially toxic substance.

Kenya's Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) in a statement said the toxic effects of diethylene glycol include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state and acute kidney injury which may lead to death.

“This cough syrup manufactured by Johnson & Johnson (Pty), South Africa, is being recalled due to quality concerns arising from an unacceptable high level of diethylene glycol detected through laboratory analysis," the health regulator said.

The PPB said it has commenced investigations and initiated rapid response, which includes sampling batches of Benylin Pediatric 100ml syrup that are within shelf life to screen the levels of Ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol.

Benylin Pediatric was also recalled on Wednesday by Nigerian health regulators following reports of dozens of children's deaths in Gambia and Cameroon.

The PPB advised all pharmaceutical outlets, healthcare facilities, healthcare workers, and members of the public to immediately quarantine the product and, stop the distribution, sale, issuing or use of the product.