The National Hospital, Abuja, is investigating the deaths of two adult patients who reportedly developed severe adverse reactions after receiving Fortcef Injection, a brand of the antibiotic Ceftazidime.
The hospital’s Pharmacovigilance Committee raised the alarm after the two patients, who were described as being relatively stable before the medication was administered, reportedly deteriorated shortly after receiving the injection.
The development was disclosed in an internal memorandum dated September 10, 2026, and signed by the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee and Director of Clinical Services, Dr O. Lawal.
Following the incidents, the hospital management directed all clinical departments and units to step up surveillance of Ceftazidime products sourced from outside the hospital pharmacy.
The directive specifically identified Fortcef Injection 1g (Ceftazidime), batch number PEZIE001, for heightened monitoring.
The product details contained in the memo are as follows:
Product: Fortcef Injection 1g (Ceftazidime)
Batch Number: PEZIE001
Manufacturing Date: May 2025
Expiry Date: April 2028
NAFDAC Registration Number: C4-0247
The hospital initiated the nvestigation following a circulating voice note purportedly recorded by a nurse at the hospital, in which a claim was made that four patients had died after receiving the injection.
However, the hospital’s official internal document confirmed two cases involving adult patients, with investigations ongoing into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
The management has also submitted formal reports on the suspected adverse drug reactions to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for regulatory investigation.
Healthcare workers have consequently been instructed to maintain heightened vigilance and immediately report any additional suspected adverse reactions associated with Ceftazidime to the hospital’s Pharmacovigilance Committee.
The hospital’s action is expected to assist in determining whether the reported reactions were linked to the identified batch of Fortcef Injection or resulted from other clinical factors.
