Consumer authority forbid 70 percent of COVID-19 related ads

By Espinosa Bellido Abogados

In 2020 the National Institute for the Defense of Competition and the Protection of Intellectual Property (Indecopi) of Peru eliminated around 70 percent of more than 370 advertisements related to the COVID-19 pandemic. All of them were forbidden for containing misleading claims about the coronavirus.

After several complaints of fraud perpetrated on consumers, Indecopi took the actions at a national level for immediate and permanent orders to stop the false advertising and prevent fraudsters from commercializing their deceptive products or services. Claims being made include unregistered products, medical devices, beverages, chemic, air purifiers and complementary medicines, among others.

Since the pandemic started in Peru, Indecopi has repeatedly reminded consumers of products or services that falsely claim to treat, diagnose, prevent, or cure COVID-19. The institution has called for consumers to be careful when they see or hear an advertisement regarding the coronavirus, as its specially important that it is backed up by a clear, truthful and appropriate scientific evidence. 

Although vaccination programs are already underway in Peru and worldwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization (WHO) there is no vaccine to totally prevent COVID-19, nor is there a medicine or therapy that prevents, treats or cures coronavirus.