Nigeria Issues Recall for Children's Cough Syrup Due to High Toxicity Levels

ABUJA, Nigeria — The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued an urgent recall for a batch of Benylin Paediatric cough syrup after discovering dangerously high levels of diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical linked to several child fatalities in Cameroon and The Gambia. This batch was manufactured in South Africa in May 2021, with an expiration date of April 2024, and is identified by its potential to cause severe health risks.

Diethylene glycol, known for its use in industrial applications such as antifreeze and as a solvent, has been detected at levels classified as having "an unacceptable high level" of toxicity. According to NAFDAC, consumption of this substance can lead to severe toxic effects including abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, inability to urinate, headaches, altered mental states, and acute kidney injury, which can be fatal.

This recall particularly concerns Johnson & Johnson’s children’s cough syrup. Although Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue, the current owner of the Benylin brand post its spinoff from Johnson & Johnson last year, have yet to respond to NAFDAC’s findings, the implications of this contamination are severe. The agency highlighted that laboratory tests confirmed the substance caused "acute oral toxicity in laboratory animals," underscoring the potential danger to human health, especially in children aged two to 12 years—the primary consumers of the product marketed for treating coughs, congestion, fever, and allergies.

The Nigerian health authorities are taking robust measures to mitigate this health crisis by instructing parents to immediately stop using the syrup if it matches the recalled batch. Healthcare providers and pharmacies have been directed to cease the sale of the implicated batch and return any stock to regulatory bodies for safe disposal.

This incident has spotlighted the critical need for stringent quality control and regulatory oversight in the pharmaceutical industry. NAFDAC is actively coordinating with international health agencies to prevent further import and distribution of the contaminated medication.

Parents and guardians in Nigeria are urged to check the expiration date and batch information on children's cough syrup packaging and to seek alternative safe treatments for respiratory and allergic symptoms in children. This recall reaffirms the importance of vigilant safety standards and prompt action in safeguarding public health, particularly for vulnerable populations like children.