Federal Govt Orders Probe Into Suspected Killer-Drug At National Hospital

• Directs healthcare facilities to quarantine, segregate stock
• NAFDAC , Nat’l Hospital differ on number of deaths

The federal government, through the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has commenced an investigation into reported serious and life-threatening adverse reactions, including fatalities, following the administration of Fortcef Injection (Ceftazidime).

The investigation followed allegations by a female whistleblower, who identified herself as Nurse Lucy, in a video circulating on social media that four patients had died at the National Hospital, Abuja, after receiving the drug.

However, while the National Hospital, Abuja, acknowledged that its staff had administered the drug to some patients, it said only two patients died following its administration, contrary to the reported four.

NAFDAC, however, said three fatalities had so far been reported from multiple healthcare facilities in the cases currently under investigation.

Fortcef Injection is an intravenous antibiotic containing 1g of ceftazidime, a third-generation cephalosporin used to treat serious bacterial infections, including infections of the lungs, urinary tract, bloodstream, skin and soft tissues, bones and joints.

It is administered intravenously by healthcare professionals, usually in hospital or clinical settings, to treat infections caused by susceptible bacteria, LEADERSHIP Weekend learnt.

NAFDAC, in a classified safety communication to pharmacies and hospitals nationwide, dated September 14, 2026, and exclusively obtained by LEADERSHIP Weekend, said it had received reports from healthcare facilities in multiple locations of acute reactions following administration of the injection.

The reported reactions included vomiting, chest pain, confusion, loss of consciousness, restlessness, gasping, flaccidity and unresponsiveness.

In the classified document, the agency said three fatalities had been reported among the cases under investigation, with two batches of Fortcef Injection — PFZIE001 and OFZIE001 — implicated in the reports received so far.

However, an internal clinical surveillance memo by the National Hospital, Abuja, signed by its Director of Clinical Services/Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Dr O. Lawal, and obtained exclusively by our correspondent, showed that two adult patients died following the administration of Fortcef Injection procured from outside the hospital.

The hospital memo, dated September 10, 2026, said the two patients were “otherwise relatively stable” before receiving the drug. It stated that the incidents occurred following administration of the product to the patients on August 24, 2026, and September 9, 2026.

The hospital subsequently directed all clinicians to heighten surveillance in the use of ceftazidime brands sourced from outside the hospital, particularly Fortcef Injection 1g, batch number PFZIE001, with a manufacturing date of May 2025 and an expiry date of April 2028.

It said its Pharmacovigilance Committee had identified the serious adverse drug reaction and directed clinicians to promptly report suspected adverse reactions.

The hospital also urged healthcare workers to remain vigilant when administering the implicated brand.

The cases, the hospital said, had been reported to NAFDAC.

Findings by LEADERSHIP Weekend showed that the National Hospital recorded two deaths, while NAFDAC’s investigation covers reports from multiple healthcare facilities and has so far received reports of three fatalities.

NAFDAC said it had placed the implicated batches on temporary hold pending the outcome of its pharmacovigilance and quality investigations.

The agency directed healthcare facilities to immediately discontinue the use of the affected batches and quarantine or segregate available stock.

It also instructed healthcare facilities to retain the affected products, vials, packaging and other relevant materials for possible investigation, warning them not to discard the products pending the outcome of the investigation.

According to NAFDAC, Fortcef Injection is a powder for injection containing 1g of ceftazidime. It carries NAFDAC registration number C4-0247, while the affected batches were manufactured by Laborate Pharmaceuticals in India and marketed by Embassy Pharmaceutical and Chemicals.

The agency further disclosed that its review of the product’s regulatory status showed that Fortcef Injection was initially registered in 2019, with an approved expiry date of December 2024.

NAFDAC said, based on available records, there was currently no evidence of renewal of the product’s registration in its NAPAMS system following the expiry of the registration period.

The agency urged healthcare providers and members of the public to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain and avoid the purchase, sale, administration or use of the affected batches pending the outcome of the investigation.

It also called on healthcare professionals and patients to report suspected adverse reactions through its pharmacovigilance channels.

The cause of the reported deaths and whether they were directly linked to Fortcef Injection remain under investigation, according to NAFDAC documents.

Our correspondent further gathered that the video now circulating online was a follow-up to an earlier video by the whistleblower, who had raised the alarm about the incident two months ago, and expressed concern that the matter was being swept under the carpet.

When LEADERSHIP visited the National Hospital, Abuja, nurses on duty, who pleaded not to be named, confirmed that the whistleblower, Nurse Lucy, is a member of staff at the hospital.

The nurses said she was determined to draw attention to what she described as foul play surrounding the incident, which she characterised as a medical catastrophe.

EXPLAINER

1

** Probe Begins**

NAFDAC has launched an investigation into serious adverse reactions and reported deaths allegedly linked to Fortcef Injection, a ceftazidime antibiotic.

2

Deaths Reported

While Nurse Lucy alleged four deaths at National Hospital, the hospital confirmed two. NAFDAC said three fatalities were reported across multiple facilities.

3

Batches Implicated

Two batches, PFZIE001 and OFZIE001, have been implicated. Reported reactions include vomiting, chest pain, confusion, unconsciousness, gasping and unresponsiveness.

4

Drug Withdrawn

NAFDAC placed the affected batches on temporary hold and ordered healthcare facilities to stop using, quarantine and preserve existing stocks.

5

Cause Still Unknown

NAFDAC said investigations will determine whether the drug caused the deaths. The agency also raised questions about the product’s registration status and urged vigilance.