Health

Tanzania and Rwanda Join Recall Of Johnson & Johnson Children’s Cough Syrup Amid Toxicity Concerns

Tanzanian and Rwandan drug regulatory authorities have taken precautionary action by recalling a batch of Johnson & Johnson children’s cough syrup following reports of high toxicity levels from Nigerian laboratory tests.

Joining Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa in the recall of the affected batch, their decision underscores growing concerns over the safety of the syrup, commonly used to treat coughs, hay fever and other allergic reactions in children. South Africa has gone further by recalling an additional batch of the product.

Tanzanian Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) said they began the recall on April 12 after hearing the Nigerian test results.

“This is an exercise that does not involve investigation but monitoring to ensure that those affected drugs are removed from the market,” TMDA spokesperson Gaudensia Simwanza said.

While Rwanda’s Food and Drugs Authority acknowledged no adverse events reported in their safety database, the recall was issued as a precautionary measure in light of the reported high levels of diethylene glycol detected in laboratory tests conducted by Nigeria’s health regulator.

“A review of our safety database doesn’t reveal any adverse events reported,” the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority said in a statement.

“However, Rwanda FDA issues the present recall for precautionary measures.”

Nigeria’s health regulator detected elevated levels of diethylene glycol in laboratory tests on the syrup. Diethylene glycol has been linked to numerous child deaths in Gambia, Uzbekistan, and Cameroon since 2022, marking one of the deadliest episodes of poisoning from oral medication worldwide.

In response to the growing concerns, Kenvue stated that it is conducting its own assessment of the situation and collaborating with health authorities to determine the appropriate course of action.

Melissa Enoch

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour: Commercialisation Of GMO Seeds Can Take Away Nigeria’s Food Sovereignty, Cause Health Issues

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has condemned the commercialisation of GMO seeds, warning of threats to Nigeria’s food…

10 hours ago

Usyk Defeats Fury on Points in Riyadh to Retain Heavyweight Championship Title

Oleksandr Usyk has secured victory over Tyson Fury in Riyadh, successfully defending his heavyweight championship…

15 hours ago

Albania to Ban TikTok for a Year After Schoolboy’s Death Sparks Concerns

Albania plans a one-year TikTok ban from January after a schoolboy’s death sparks concerns over…

18 hours ago

Suspect Remanded in Custody Over Deadly Attack at German Christmas Market

A suspect accused of killing five people by driving into a crowded Christmas market in…

19 hours ago

US Fighter Jet ShotDown in Red Sea ‘Friendly Fire’ Incident Amid Heightened Tensions

A US Navy F/A-18 Hornet was mistakenly shot down over the Red Sea by the…

19 hours ago

NNPC, Dangote Refinery Slash Petrol Prices to N899 Per Litre Amid Rising Competition

NNPC has reduced petrol ex-depot price to N899 per litre, sparking competition with Dangote Refinery…

19 hours ago