NIGERIA’S National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has taken a decisive step in public health safety by issuing a recall for a batch of Johnson & Johnson’s children’s cough syrup. The recall comes following the detection of alarmingly high levels of diethylene glycol, a potentially fatal toxic substance, as announced on Wednesday.
Laboratory tests conducted on the Benylin Paediatric syrup revealed a concerning concentration of diethylene glycol. This substance has been associated with tragic outcomes, including the deaths of numerous children in countries like Gambia, Uzbekistan, and Cameroon since 2022, marking one of the deadliest waves of poisoning from oral medications globally.
The affected syrup, designed to alleviate cough and congestion symptoms, as well as hay fever and allergic reactions in children aged two to 12, poses a severe risk according to NAFDAC’s notice on its website. ‘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,’ NAFDAC stated.
Consumption of the contaminated syrup could lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches, and acute kidney injury, potentially resulting in fatalities, the regulatory body further warned.
Johnson & Johnson, the manufacturer of the product, redirected inquiries for comment to Kenvue, the current owner of the Benylin brand following a spin-off last year. However, Kenvue has yet to respond to requests for comment on this concerning issue.
The batch subject to recall was manufactured in South Africa in May 2021 and carries an expiration date of April 2024. Urging immediate action, the regulator advised individuals in possession of bottles from the affected batch to cease usage or sale and promptly submit them to the nearest NAFDAC office for proper disposal.
This recall underscores the critical role of regulatory agencies like NAFDAC in safeguarding public health against potential risks posed by pharmaceutical products, emphasising the importance of stringent quality control measures in the production and distribution of medications.
