Clinician Convicted for Illegal Possession of Medical Drugs in Ntcheu

Ntcheu Senior Resident Magistrate Court has convicted a Mangochi-based government clinician, John Walter, 39, for illegal possession of medical drugs.

Walter, who owns Kisa Private Hospital in Ntcheu District, was ordered to pay a K150,000 fine or face three months in jail with hard labour.

According to State Prosecutor James Muyira, Walter was nabbed on 10 August this year at his facility after an inspection by the Pharmacy and Medicine Regulatory Authority (PMRA). There, three types of undocumented drugs: Erythromycin (half tin), Amoxycillin (half tin), and Doxycycline (one bottle) were found.

Walter pleaded guilty but begged for leniency because he has family obligations and is a continuing student at a health college.

Nonetheless, the state pushed for a stiff penalty, citing rampant drug pilferage in public hospitals and Senior Resident Magistrate Iman Alley-Abu sided with the prosecution and imposed the fine.

Walter hails from Chinyamula Village, Traditional Authority Kwataine, in Ntcheu District.