Tanzania, Rwanda and Zimbabwe join African recall of cough syrup
The countries join Nigeria, Kenya and SA in recalling the same batch of the syrup
15 April 2024 - 22:06
byPhilbert Girinema, Nuzulack Dausen and Nyasha Chingono
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Kigali — Drug regulators in Tanzania, Rwanda and Zimbabwe have recalled a batch of Johnson & Johnson (J&J) children’s cough syrup as a precautionary measure after their Nigerian counterpart said laboratory tests found high levels of toxicity.
The countries join Nigeria, Kenya and SA in recalling the same batch of the syrup, which is used to treat coughs, hay fever and other allergic reactions in children. SA has also recalled an additional batch.
Laboratory tests on the syrup by Nigeria’s health regulator showed a high level of diethylene glycol, which has been linked to the deaths of dozens of children in Gambia, Uzbekistan and Cameroon since 2022 in one of the world’s worst waves of poisoning from oral medication.
Diethylene glycol is toxic to humans when consumed and can result in acute kidney failure.
The batch of Benylin Paediatric syrup recalled was made by J&J in SA in May 2021, though Kenvue now owns the brand after a spin-off from J&J last year.
Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) said it had begun the recall on April 12 after hearing about the Nigerian test results.
"This is an exercise that does not involve investigation but rather monitoring to ensure that those affected drugs are removed from the market," TMDA spokesperson Gaudensia Simwanza said on Monday.
A spokesperson for Kenya’s drug regulator said its test results on the syrup would likely be ready on Wednesday.
"A review of our safety database doesn’t reveal any adverse events reported," the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority said in a statement dated April 12. "However, Rwanda FDA issues the present recall for precautionary measures."
Zimbabwe’s Medicines Control Agency said that it did have a record of the product’s importation into Zimbabwe, but that it was concerned the syrup could enter the local market illegally. It said it would step up inspections in case.
Kenvue said in a statement that it was conducting its own assessment and working with health authorities to determine a course of action.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Tanzania, Rwanda and Zimbabwe join African recall of cough syrup
The countries join Nigeria, Kenya and SA in recalling the same batch of the syrup
Kigali — Drug regulators in Tanzania, Rwanda and Zimbabwe have recalled a batch of Johnson & Johnson (J&J) children’s cough syrup as a precautionary measure after their Nigerian counterpart said laboratory tests found high levels of toxicity.
The countries join Nigeria, Kenya and SA in recalling the same batch of the syrup, which is used to treat coughs, hay fever and other allergic reactions in children. SA has also recalled an additional batch.
Laboratory tests on the syrup by Nigeria’s health regulator showed a high level of diethylene glycol, which has been linked to the deaths of dozens of children in Gambia, Uzbekistan and Cameroon since 2022 in one of the world’s worst waves of poisoning from oral medication.
Diethylene glycol is toxic to humans when consumed and can result in acute kidney failure.
The batch of Benylin Paediatric syrup recalled was made by J&J in SA in May 2021, though Kenvue now owns the brand after a spin-off from J&J last year.
Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) said it had begun the recall on April 12 after hearing about the Nigerian test results.
"This is an exercise that does not involve investigation but rather monitoring to ensure that those affected drugs are removed from the market," TMDA spokesperson Gaudensia Simwanza said on Monday.
A spokesperson for Kenya’s drug regulator said its test results on the syrup would likely be ready on Wednesday.
"A review of our safety database doesn’t reveal any adverse events reported," the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority said in a statement dated April 12. "However, Rwanda FDA issues the present recall for precautionary measures."
Zimbabwe’s Medicines Control Agency said that it did have a record of the product’s importation into Zimbabwe, but that it was concerned the syrup could enter the local market illegally. It said it would step up inspections in case.
Kenvue said in a statement that it was conducting its own assessment and working with health authorities to determine a course of action.
Reuters
Kenya latest to recall J&J cough syrup over suspected toxicity
Nigeria recalls J&J cough syrup made in SA over toxic substance
Indonesian company officials jailed over deadly cough syrup
India uncovers more toxic syrups
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.