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Following a warning from Nigeria’s drug agency regarding high levels of a toxic and potentially fatal substance in the cough syrup, drug regulators in Tanzania and Zimbabwe have also initiated a recall as a precautionary measure.
However, Zimbabwe’s Medicines Control Authority stated that there was no record of the syrup being imported into the country.
Last week, Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) issued a recall of a batch of Benylin Pediatric syrup due to the presence of the toxic substance Diethylene glycol.
Shortly after, Kenya’s pharmacy board suspended the sale of the syrup based on NAFDAC’s recommendation. Subsequently, drug authorities in South Africa and Rwanda also recalled the syrup over the weekend.
Laboratory tests conducted by Nigeria’s health regulator revealed high levels of diethylene glycol, a substance linked to child deaths in other countries since 2022. Kenvue stated that it is conducting its own assessment and collaborating with health authorities to determine the next steps.
Diethylene glycol has been linked to the recent deaths of dozens of children in Cameroon and The Gambia.
Read More:Tanzania, Rwanda, Zimbabwe join African recall of J&J cough syrup
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Human consumption of the substance causes multiple adverse effects, including acute kidney injury, which may lead to death.
Johnson & Johnson is an American multinational, pharmaceutical, and medical technologies corporation headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
