The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched an investigation into whether medicines administered to a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member may have contributed to his death at the orientation camp in Agwu, Enugu State.

The probe follows reports suggesting a possible link between the death and the use of substandard or falsified medicines. However, the agency said preliminary clinical findings had not established whether the medicines played any role in the incident.

In a statement signed by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC urged the public to avoid speculation about the cause of death pending the outcome of the investigation.

According to the agency, preliminary information indicated that the corps member was taken to the camp clinic on Wednesday, October 7, with symptoms suggestive of severe malaria and a history of peptic ulcer disease.

He was treated and stabilised before being discharged the following morning with oral medications.

However, he returned to the clinic on Saturday, October 10, complaining of right thigh pain and profuse sweating, alongside recurrent episodes of low blood pressure.

NAFDAC said his condition subsequently deteriorated, with reduced urine output despite fluid resuscitation. He was then referred to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, where he became comatose.

Efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. A preliminary clinical assessment identified acute kidney injury secondary to severe dehydration and shock as the suspected cause of death.

The agency stressed, however, that the findings did not establish whether the medicines administered to the corps member contributed to his death, adding that further investigation was necessary to determine any possible connection.

As part of the probe, NAFDAC said its officers had visited the camp clinic, interviewed the medical personnel who attended to the deceased and other staff, and collected samples of the medicines for laboratory analysis.

The agency said appropriate regulatory action would be taken if warranted by the findings.

While expressing condolences to the family of the deceased, NAFDAC urged the public to remain calm and allow the investigation to run its course.

It reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that medicines available in Nigeria meet the required standards of safety, quality and efficacy.