Man fined for possessing medical drugs without license

Malawi: Stephano Nickson, 34, has been convicted and fined K400,000 by Mkukula First Grade Magistrate Court in Dowa, or serve a five-year jail term with hard labour for being found in possession of medical drugs without a licence, writes Harold Mtepatepa, MANA.

According to State Prosecutor Sub Inspector Chikondi Nkosi, Nickson was arrested on September 25, 2022, at Nkulera Village near Lumbadzi after police officers on day patrol received a tip from members of the public.

When the suspect's bag was searched, he was discovered to be in possession of unlicensed medical drugs and equipment.

The State Prosecutor also informed the court that Nickson lacked the necessary medical training and licence to sell medical drugs or treat patients.

Nickson appeared in court and pleaded guilty to being found in possession of medical drugs without a licence.

In mitigation, he requested leniency from the court, claiming that he treated patients and sold medical drugs without knowing the law.

He also stated that he was doing it to alleviate poverty and that he was the breadwinner for his two wives and parents.

Sub Inspector Nkosi requested a harsh punishment for Nickson in his submission, claiming that cases of this nature were common in the Lumbadzi area and posed a risk to community members' lives because patients were treated without medical expertise.

First Grade Magistrate Thomson Midiasi agreed with the state's submission and condemned the act in his sentence.

As a result, he ordered the accused to pay a K400,000 fine or serve a five-year prison sentence with hard labour in default.

Magistrate Thomson stated that the punishment would serve as a deterrent to future offenders. He also directed that the medical drugs be destroyed.

The fine has since been paid by the accused.

Nickson is from Nkulera Village in Dowa District's Traditional Authority Dzoole.