The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has collected medicine samples for laboratory testing as part of an investigation into the death of a corps member at the NYSC orientation camp in Agwu, Enugu State.

In a press release issued on Monday, and signed by its Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency said its officials had inspected the camp clinic, interviewed medical personnel and other staff, and obtained medicine samples for analysis amid reports of a possible link between the death and substandard or falsified drugs.

According to the statement, the deceased first visited the camp clinic on October 7 with symptoms suggestive of severe malaria and a history of peptic ulcer disease. He was treated and discharged the following morning but returned on October 10 with right thigh pain, profuse sweating and recurring episodes of low blood pressure.

His condition deteriorated, with NAFDAC reporting “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.

A preliminary clinical assessment identified acute kidney injury secondary to severe dehydration and shock as the suspected cause of death. The agency stressed that the findings did not establish whether the medicines administered to him contributed to the fatal outcome.

“The Agency will take appropriate action based on the outcome of its investigations,” NAFDAC said, indicating that further regulatory measures would depend on the findings.

The agency urged the public to refrain from drawing conclusions about the cause of death while the investigation continues. It also expressed condolences to the deceased’s family and reiterated its commitment to ensuring that medicines available in Nigeria meet the required standards of safety, quality and efficacy.