The focus of the Authority is on the activities of Società Farmacia Internazionale di Ciro Cozzolino & C. S.n.c., active in the online sale of healthcare products.

The Italian Competition Authority has opened an investigation against Società Farmacia Internazionale di Ciro Cozzolino & C. S.n.c. for possible unfair and aggressive practices in the promotion, delivery and after-sales assistance of parapharmaceuticals and over-the-counter medicines ordered on the website Farmasave.it.

According to the Authority, the company published information on the Farmasave.it website that appeared to be untrue and misleading about the immediate availability of the products offered for sale online and their delivery or shipping times. In fact, many consumers have reported failed/delayed or incorrect/incomplete delivery of products ordered, sometimes even damaged during transport, and already paid for via web. Consumers may also have been hindered in exercising their rights during the after-sales phase, due to poor customer service. In doing so, the company may have made it difficult, or in some cases impossible, for consumers to exercise the right of reconsideration/withdrawal or to obtain the replacement of the products received, if they do not correspond to those actually ordered or if damaged during transport, or to receive a refund, even in the event of non-delivery.

Yesterday, officials from the Authority, assisted by the Special Antitrust Unit of the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza), conducted inspections at several Società Farmacia Internazionale di Ciro Cozzolino & C. S.n.c. locations.

Rome, 5 December 2024