The Ministry
The Public Ministry has charged the legal representatives of three pharmacies in the Zulia state with crimes such as fraud to commercial and industrial production, appropriation of industrial property, and improper use of a trademark, harming the company that holds exclusive rights to the Farma Express DCH trademark.
This involves an informal group of pharmacies operating under the name “Grupo Farma Express” despite lacking rights to the trademark. This trademark is registered with the Autonomous Service of Intellectual Property (SAPI) under number S078494, and its exclusive use belongs to its legitimate owner.
The charges were made by the 28th National Prosecutor’s Office with jurisdiction in Intellectual Property, as part of a criminal investigation initiated in November 2024. The hearing took place on Wednesday, April 9, before the competent court.
The implicated establishments are:
1. Super Farmacia FarmaExpress 24 Premier, C.A.
2. Super FarmaExpress 24 Bella Vista, C.A.
3. Farmacia FarmaExpress 24 Sur, C.A.
During technical inspections carried out by the Bolivarian National Police (PNB), it was verified that these locations used, without authorization, distinctive elements of the Farma Express DCH brand, such as name, graphic design, colors, typography, and symbols, aiming to mislead the public and gain illegal profits.
Charged individuals:
1. Sahar Boudakka El Safadi
2. Aysar Al Hamdan Mogollón
3. Analy del Valle González Moronta
4. Leonardo José Palmar Fulcado
Despite the charges, the establishments continue to operate normally, maintainig unauthorized use of the brand, and enhancing their presence through events with international artists, mass advertising, and illegal road closures, which increases the risk of market confusion and perpetuates the infringement of the legitimate trademark rights.
Additionally, it has been reported that these pharmacies employ private security schemes consisting of:
– Active police officers,
– Escorts on official motorcycles, and
– Convoys of high-end vehicles that obstruct traffic without permission.
These practices have been publicly criticized by the Minister of Popular Power for Internal Relations, Justice and Peace, Diosdado Cabello Rondón, who warned about the proliferation of illegal private protection structures linked to economic sectors operating outside the law in Zulia state.