The contaminated batch of Benylin paediatric syrup that recently triggered a product withdrawal on the continent is no longer available in African countries, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Monday.
As reported in MedicalBrief, Nigeria this month recalled a batch of Benylin cough and allergy medicine after tests found it contained unacceptable levels of the toxin diethylene glycol. Five other countries – South Africa, where the medicine was made, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe – also pulled the product from shelves.
Reuters reports that the recalled batch of syrup was made by Johnson & Johnson (J&J) in SA in May 2021, though Kenvue owns the brand after a spin-off from J&J in 2023.
J&J referred requests for comment to Kenvue. In an e-mailed statement last week, Kenvue said it had carried out tests on the batch recalled by Nigeria and had not detected either diethylene or ethylene glycol, but was continuing to work with the authorities.
Diethylene glycol can cause acute kidney failure and alongside another related toxin, ethylene glycol, has been linked to the deaths of more than 300 children in Cameroon, Gambia, Indonesia and Uzbekistan since 2022 after being found in medicines made in India and Indonesia.
No children have died or been affected in the latest incident.
The WHO had said on Friday that it might issue a broader alert about Benylin, but on Monday, confirmed it no longer had immediate plans to do so.
“Considering this batch is no longer on the market in any of the impacted countries and it has been consumed with no apparent reports of adverse effects, we believe there is no immediate public health risk,” said a spokesperson.
Reuters article – Contaminated cough syrup in Africa no longer available – WHO (Open access)
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
SA and J&J drawn into toxic cough mixture scandal
Indonesia families launch lawsuit over contaminated cough syrup
More countries affected by toxic cough syrups