Fake Drug Allegations: NAFDAC investigates death of NYSC member

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has begun an investigation into the death of a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Etimbuk Daniel, at the NYSC camp in Enugu State.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr Daniel died while undergoing his compulsory three-week orientation course at the NYSC camp in Enugu State.

The deceased corps member was the immediate past President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of Akwa Ibom State University. He hailed from Akwa Ibom State, South-south Nigeria.

Investigation

Earlier, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Akinteye Afeez, in a statement posted on Facebook on 11 October, claimed an unnamed doctor had confirmed that the drug the NYSC member took in the orientation camp before his death was fake.

In the Monday statement, Mrs Adeyeye, a professor, said NAFDAC would investigate the claim and determine whether there was any “use of substandard or falsified medicines” in treating the NYSC member.

“The agency urges the public to avoid drawing conclusions about the cause of death pending the outcome of its investigations,” she said.

The NAFDAC director-general said preliminary information indicated that the NYSC member was first taken to the camp clinic on Wednesday, 7 October, with symptoms suggestive of “severe malaria and a history of peptic ulcer disease.”

She explained that he was treated and stabilised before being discharged with oral medications the following morning.

Mrs Adeyeye said Mr David returned to the clinic on Saturday, 10 October, with right thigh pain, profuse sweating and recurrent episodes of low blood pressure.

“Due to his deteriorating condition and poor urine output despite fluid resuscitation, he was referred to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, where he became comatose.

“Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful,” she said.

Preliminary findings on cause of death

Mrs Adeyeye said “preliminary clinical assessment” indicated that the suspected cause of death of the NYSC member was acute kidney injury secondary to severe dehydration and shock.

“The agency notes that these findings are preliminary and do not, in themselves, establish whether the medicines administered contributed to the death,” he said.

What we’ve done so far

The director-general said NAFDAC officers have now visited the camp clinic, interviewed the attending medical personnel and other staff, and collected samples of the medicines for laboratory analysis and further regulatory action as necessary.

“The agency will take appropriate action based on the outcome of its investigations,” she assured.

The official said NAFDAC has commiserated with the family of the deceased.

She urged Nigerians to remain calm as the investigation continues, assuring them that the agency is committed to ensuring medicines available in Nigeria meet the required standards of safety, quality, and efficacy.

“Members of the public may direct complaints and enquiries to the NAFDAC,” she said.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the Nigerian Senate, on Thursday, ordered an investigation into the death of the NYSC member.

The Senate also resolved to investigate the state of health infrastructure in NYSC camps across the country.