Health executive director Ben Nangombe says there are no affected batches of Benylin cough syrup in Namibia, and those in the country are safe for consumption.

He was giving feedback on the status of the cough syrup after Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Nigeria recalled the Johnson & Johnson product after reports emerged that the laboratory tests found high levels of toxicity.

“There is no recall of that particular syrup or any other medicine in the country because we have not imported that, but should we have any information, we will act proactively to ensure that we protect the public,” Nangombe said. 

He said the manufacturers of the medicine, in line with the authorities, have identified the affected batches of the syrup as number 329304 and 329303, adding that “these batches are reported to have been imported and bought by Eswatini, Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya”.

Benylin Children's Wet Cough Mucus Relief 100ml helps to relieve chesty coughs by thinning and loosening up mucus, and providing quick relief. 

Specially formulated for children from two to 12, the syrup is sugar-free, alcohol-free and colourant-free.

Nangombe stated: “From time to time, it does happen that a product is recalled for one reason or the other, and that is done out of an abundance of caution”.

Authorities on the continent also informed the public that diethylene glycol is toxic to humans when consumed, and can prove fatal. 

Toxic effects can include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to pass urine, headaches, altered mental state and acute kidney injury, which may lead to death. - psiririka@nepc.com.na