AIFA has recently recorded a worrying increase in reports received from citizens, associations and companies, of products purchased online from unauthorised channels, which have been found to be falsified or illegal, and draws attention to the risks associated with this type of purchase.

In particular, the most recent cases include the falsification of Somatoline cream, a dermatological preparation with anti-cellulite activity, and of Cialis, a medicine indicated in the treatment of erectile dysfunctions. Both products were advertised online. Thanks to the consolidated collaboration between AIFA and eBay, all offers relating to Somatoline were promptly removed from the platform.

AIFA once again urges consumers to be wary of those offers that on the web, often and frequently, are presented as "must-have offers" and recommends the utmost caution when purchasing medicines online.

A prudent attitude is even more essential in the light of the current framework of the COVID-19 emergency which could determine, as recorded in some non-European countries, the online offer of illegal COVID-19 vaccines without any guarantee with respect to quality, efficacy and safety and, therefore, potentially very dangerous.

Furthermore, the collaboration of everyone - private citizens, health professionals, companies and associations - is essential so that suspected cases are constantly reported to AIFA and the Carabinieri of the Health Protection Command, to implement all necessary measures to protect public health and the health of the individual.

Lastly, AIFA reiterates that the regulations in force in Italy regarding the online sale of medicines to the public allow this activity only to pharmacies and parapharmacies or "health corners" of large-scale organised distribution (identified by article 5, paragraph 1, of the decree-law of 4 July 2006, n.223) and only for non-prescription medicines, currently excluding the possibility of online sale of medicines through e-commerce platforms.

Therefore, the purchase of these medicines by Italian consumers can only be made through authorised channels displaying the common logo (for further information, please see the following link.

Published on: 12 April 2021