A Nigerian government report on the panel findings that was never released was obtained by the Post. It was provided by a source who asked to remain anonymous because of safety concerns.

No Evidence Drug Played a Part in Deaths

The Infectious Diseases Hospital in Kano, Nigeria, was treating meningitis patients in 1996 when Pfizer administered the experimental drug Trovan to children.

Pfizer never obtained authorization from the government to give the unproven drug to nearly 100 children and infants, the panel's report says. Pfizer selected the patients at a field hospital in the city of Kano, where the children had been taken to be treated for an often deadly strain of meningitis.

Five children died after being treated with the antibiotic and others showed signs of arthritis, although there is no evidence the drug played a part. Six died while taking a comparison drug.