By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
The Kenya Pharmacy and Poisons Board has issued an alert on a cough syrup manufactured by South African giant pharmaceuticals Johnson & Johnson.
In a statement on Thursday, the board said the alert was based on a report that it had received from National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control of Nigeria about the Benylin Paediatric syrup.
The syrup has been recalled in Nigeria due to quality concerns arising from what has been described as “an unacceptable high level of diethylene glycol detected detected through laboratory analysis” conducted in the west African country.
“Diethylene glycol is a contaminant which is toxic to humans when consumed and can prove fatal,” the PPB said in the statement.
“Toxic effects can include abdominal pain,vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to pass urije, headache, altered mental state and acute injury which may lead to death,” the board added.
With the latest developments, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board advised pharmaceutical outlets, healthcare facilities, healthcare workers and members of the public to immediately quarantine the product and stop its distribution, sale, issuance or use.
“Furthermore, members of the public are advised to return the product to the nearest healthcare facility,” the board said.
Health facilities have also been advised to return the product to the respective suppliers.
“The public or patients who experience adverse reactions/events following the use of this product in children are advised to direct such patients for immediate medical attention from a qualified healthcare professional,” the board said.
However, it assured the public that it has established mechanisms to ensure that medicine supplied to Kenyan market meet the required quality, safety and efficacy standards.
