The two Mary Julius Saidi, 25, and Molly Kainga, 34, were charged with six counts for contravening the Pharmacy and Medicines, Regulatory Authority Act and HIV and AIDS (prevention and Management) Act.

In court, state prosecutor Police Inspector Shadreck Wisiki, explaned that the two conspired in the production of a fake HIV/AIDS cure drug known as Gammora.

Inspector Wisiki said by using gentamicin injection which they were buying from two specific drug stores within Mangochi Township, they removed the original stickers and rebranded them with the Gammora label.

He said two who jointly bear the TikTok username "Gammora," had been advertising and offering for sale the said fake product and were selling a dosage of three bottles at a sum of K120,000.00.

"A number of HIV patients had been duped by these two women, a thing that prompted some to report to the police, leading to the arrest of Saidi on 3rd March 2024, in Mangochi Boma," explained Wisiki.

He added; "Kainga was nabbed two days later in Salima and both were found with bottles of gentamicin and Gammora stickers."

In court both pleaded guilty to all the counts as charged and asked for court's leniency citing that they have little babies who would suffer if jailed.

However, in his submission, Prosecutor Wisiki objected to their plea, emphasizing what they did was inhumane as their fake product is not medically certified, exposing a number of patients at risk, hence asking the court for stiffer sentences.

Passing his sentence, Senior Resident Magistrate Muhammad Chande, concurred with the state that the two offered hope to HIV and AIDS patients and deterred them to desist from receiving proper medication.

He therefore ordered each to pay a total sum of K2,450,000.00 for the counts, or in default jailed for two-years in prison with hard labour.

Chande further forfeited all the three cell phones which were being used to swindle money from patients to the Malawi Government.

Julius hails from Kalonga village, Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi while Kainga comes from Kalilombe village, Traditional Authority Chakhumbira in Ntcheu district.