National Hospital Abuja has confirmed the deaths of two adult patients who received Ceftazidime injections, specifically Fortcef Injection 1g, manufactured by an external supplier. According to an internal memo dated September 10, 2026, the hospital's Pharmacovigilance Committee identified the cases after serious adverse events occurred. The patients were described as relatively stable before administering the drug. The hospital's Director of Clinical Services and Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, Dr. O. Lawal, signed the memo.
The hospital has heightened surveillance of Ceftazidime products sourced from outside, particularly Fortcef Injection 1g, batch number PEZIE001, manufactured in May 2025, and due to expire in April 2028. The product bears NAFDAC registration number C4-0247. The hospital's management directed all clinical units and departments to increase monitoring of the affected product. Clinicians were also instructed to promptly report any suspected adverse drug reactions to the Pharmacovigilance Committee.
The hospital reported the cases to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further attention. The hospital's decision to report the cases aims to facilitate further regulatory assessment and ensure patient safety. The Pharmacovigilance Committee will continue to monitor the situation and assess any additional cases.
A viral voice note circulating online alleged that four patients died after receiving Fortcef injections. However, the hospital's internal memo confirmed only two adult patient deaths. The hospital's official communication provides a different account from the figure contained in the viral recording.
The hospital has not announced a general ban on Ceftazidime or stated that all products containing the drug have been withdrawn from use. Instead, the memo instructed healthcare workers to heighten surveillance, particularly when using Ceftazidime sourced from outside the hospital.
The affected Fortcef batch, PEZIE001, remains the specific product identified in the hospital's surveillance alert. NAFDAC, responsible for regulating medicines and investigating suspected safety concerns, will conduct a further assessment. The hospital's pharmacovigilance process and regulatory assessment will help establish the circumstances surrounding the two deaths.
The development has heightened attention around the safety of the affected product. The hospital's decision to report the cases to NAFDAC and increase surveillance aims to ensure patient safety and prevent similar incidents. Further findings from the hospital's pharmacovigilance process and regulatory assessment are expected.
Key points
- Two patients died after receiving Ceftazidime injections at National Hospital Abuja.
- The hospital has heightened surveillance of Ceftazidime products sourced from outside.
- NAFDAC will conduct a further assessment of the affected product.
