A major consumer protection operation in João Pessoa has resulted in significant enforcement action against local pharmacies. The Procon agency, responsible for consumer rights in the city, conducted a widespread inspection that led to formal citations for 18 establishments and the immediate seizure of 298 products.
The operation, which began last week, involved the systematic vistoria (inspection) of 56 pharmacies across the capital of Paraíba. Officials were checking compliance with a range of federal, state, and municipal laws, as well as specific regulations governing the pharmaceutical sector. Beyond the 18 pharmacies that received formal autuações (citations), another 36 locations were notified to make necessary adjustments to their practices.
The list of seized items highlights the nature of the violations. Among the 298 products confiscated were packages of Whey Protein that had passed their expiration date and boxes of orange-flavored chocolate bombs that lacked any printed validity date. Personal hygiene materials were also among the items removed from shelves. All seized products were discarded immediately following the inspection.
Procon officials identified several recurring irregularities during their visits. A common issue was the complete absence of price displays on products. Other frequent problems included selling items with expired validity dates or products that carried no validity information whatsoever. The agency also flagged a practice deemed illegal under the Brazilian Consumer Defense Code: requiring customers to provide their CPF (taxpayer ID) as a mandatory condition to receive discounts. This is classified as a "venda casada" (tied sale), which is prohibited.
The consequences for the cited pharmacies could be severe. According to Procon-JP, the establishments that received formal citations are now subject to penalties outlined in national legislation. These penalties can include the application of substantial fines, the value of which will be determined based on the specific infractions found.
This enforcement action underscores the ongoing efforts by consumer protection agencies to ensure market transparency and safety, particularly in sectors like pharmaceuticals where product integrity is critical for public health. The operation serves as a reminder to all commercial establishments about the importance of strict adherence to consumer protection laws.
Based on reporting from g1.