The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) on Thursday cautioned Kenyans against purchasing Benylin pediatric 100mls cough syrup Batch No 329304.
This is after the product manufactured in South Africa was recalled by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) of Nigeria.
Benylin pediatric syrup is a cough suppressant that works by decreasing the feeling of needing to cough.
According to the board, the product was recalled due to quality concerns arising from an unacceptably high level of diethylene glycol.
PPB in its statement warned that the diethylene glycol was a contaminant that is toxic to humans and can potentially lead to deaths.
Toxic effects can include; abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state, and acute kidney injury which may lead to death.
PPB noted it had commenced investigations into the supply of the drug and that a sampling of the drug's batches had been initiated.
"Subsequent implementation of regulatory actions will be based on the laboratory findings," read part of a statement by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
All pharmaceutical outlets were directed to immediately halt the distribution, sale, and issuing of the product. Meanwhile, members of the public were advised to return the product to the nearest healthcare facility.
"The public or patients who experience adverse reactions or events following the use of this product in children are advised to direct such patients to immediate medical attention from a qualified healthcare professional," PPB noted in its statement.
PPB assured the public that it had established mechanisms to ensure that medicines supplied to the Kenyan market met the required quality, safety and efficacy standards.
"We encourage the public to be vigilant at all times and report any suspected poor-quality medicines or adverse drug reactions to the nearest healthcare facility and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board."
