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Misanet.com / The Chronicle, 9 December - A syndicate of unscrupulous business people allegedly from South Africa are said to have brought fake HIV anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs into the country that are being sold on the black market in the capital city, Lilongwe, 'The Chronicle' has learnt. A source, who opted for anonymity said the people emerged on the ARV drugs business arena soon after it was announced that the prices of the drugs were to be reduced from K10,000 (appoximately US$ 150) to K5,000 (US$ 75). - I am also a victim of these thugs, she said. "I bought a packet of the stuff thinking I was getting good value but I was later told by a medical practitioner that the pills were not the ARV drug but rather one of the major South African pain killer brands." The unscrupulous businessmen are alleged to be selling their merchandise at night, at drinking joints and at Lilongwe District Council resthouse, according to our source. - Commercial sex workers are the ones that have been ripped off a great deal, noted the source alluding to the fact that the fake antiviral drug was selling at K1,000 (one thousand kwacha, US$ 15) opposed to K2,500 (US$ 37) which is the current market value of the suppressant. Meanwhile, Police Public Relations Officer Assistant Commissioner Oliver Soko has urged people to report to the nearest police station if they see any person claiming to be selling the drug. - If there is anyone who bought the drug he or she should come with it so that we can take it for laboratory examination to determine it's composition and function, Soko warned. Reduction of the price of the ARV drug recently from K5,000 (US$ 75) to K2,500 (US$ 37) per month is still creating problems as a lot of Malawians still are unable to take the drug continuously hence people have reverted to selling false drugs at a price of less than K2,000 (US$ 30). The official ARV drug which is sold at Lilongwe Central Hospital is said to be benefiting no more than 100 people every month since it's reduction two months ago. Dr. Stefan Luftl who is responsible for the Medical Department at the Central hospital recently told The Chronicle that the price of the drug was reduced to make it easily accessible to many people living in the shadow of the HIV/AIDS risk. The price of the drug was reduced some months ago because a lot of people were unable to take the drug continuously when it was sold at K5,000 (US$ 75). "Now the drug is sold at the price of K2,500 (US$ 37) and only about 100 people are able to afford to take the drug continuously," Luftl noted. By Mallick Mnela & Tione Chikuta, The Chronicle/Malawi
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