Kenya national drug regulator-The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB)- has announced a critical urgent recall for a batch of Benylin Paediatric cough syrup after it was found to contain toxic levels of diethylene glycol, a chemical that can cause severe health issues, including death.
According to PPB, the recall affects 100ml bottles from Batch No 329304, which are due to expire this month.
“The decision follows an alert from the Nigerian food and drug agency, which also issued a recall for the same batch. The warning was quickly disseminated through Kenya’s medicines regulator PPB, which confirmed the presence of the harmful substance through its testing processes.”
Diethylene glycol poisoning is serious and can lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, altered mental state, and acute kidney injury. The PPB has stressed the severity of the risk, indicating that consumption of the contaminated syrup could be fatal.
In response to the crisis, the PPB has mandated that all pharmaceutical outlets, healthcare facilities, and workers throughout Kenya immediately cease the distribution and sale of the affected batch no 329304.
The board is also conducting its own investigations to ascertain the full scope of the issue and to implement measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
The PPB’s swift action highlights the challenges faced in managing pharmaceutical safety and underscores the importance of regional cooperation in health and safety regulations.
The board has advised consumers to check their medicine cabinets for the specified batch number 329304 of Benylin Paediatric and to avoid using the product.
PPB have also encouraged the public to report any adverse health effects or continued availability of the product to local health authorities immediately https://pv.pharmacyboardkenya.org/users/mpublic, Mobile application: mPvERS both android & iOS and USSD code: at *271# or Email; pms@ppb.go.ke Tel No. 0795743049.