Rwanda’s drug regulatory authority has taken action by recalling a batch of Johnson & Johnson children’s cough syrup as a safety measure following findings of elevated toxicity levels by its Nigerian counterpart.
This recall aligns Rwanda with Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, all of which have recalled the same batch of syrup designed to alleviate coughs, hay fever, and allergies in children. Additionally, South Africa has extended its recall to include another batch.
The batch under scrutiny was manufactured by J&J in South Africa in May 2021. However, the Benylin Paediatric syrup brand, previously under J&J, is now owned by Kenvue following a spin-off last year.
Rwanda’s Food and Drugs Authority stated in an April 12 release that while their safety database doesn’t indicate any reported adverse events, they’re initiating the recall as a precautionary measure.
Tests conducted by Nigeria’s health regulatory body revealed heightened levels of diethylene glycol in the syrup. This compound has been associated with the deaths of numerous children in Gambia, Uzbekistan, and Cameroon since 2022, marking one of the most severe instances of oral medication poisoning globally.
Kenvue responded in a statement, announcing its own assessment and collaboration with health authorities to determine the necessary steps forward.
