Google provides translated versions of our Help Centre, although they are not meant to change the content of our policies. The English version is the official language that we use to enforce our policies. To view this article in a different language, use the language drop-down at the bottom of the page.
In October 2023, there will be two updates to the Google Ads Healthcare and medicines policy:
- The language of the Prescription drug sale policy will be updated to clarify the scope and the policy name will be changed to Prescription drug services. This update will not alter Google’s enforcement of this policy. The Healthcare and medicines policy page will be updated to reflect the new language on 10 October 2023.
- The France country-specifics of the Healthcare and medicines policy will be updated to allow LegitScript-certified telemedicine providers to promote their services in France. We will begin enforcing this policy on 10 October 2023.
The Healthcare and medicines policy page will be updated to reflect the following language:
Prescription drug services
Google restricts the promotion of services related to the online prescribing, dispensation and sale of prescription drugs. Businesses subject to this policy include but are not limited to online pharmacies and telemedicine providers.
We determine whether an advertiser is promoting such services based on a number of factors, such as the content of your ads, site or app, as well as the products or services that you offer. For user safety and other reasons, we err on the side of caution in applying this policy, especially for landing pages that link or refer to content that in any way appears to be or to facilitate the online prescription, dispensation or sale of medicines.
Countries
Google allows the promotion of some services related to prescription drugs in only these countries: Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Czechia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom and the United States. Please check the country-specific section of the Healthcare and medicines policy for details about the types of services that can be promoted and requirements in each country.
Keywords
Under this policy, Google allows certified advertisers to bid on keywords containing prescription drug terms in only the following countries: Australia, Austria, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Israel, Japan, Kenya, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, United Kingdom and United States.
Certification
Advertisers must be certified by Google in order to serve ads for prescription drug services – see how to apply below. Certification requirements vary by country – check the country-specific restrictions for every country where you plan to advertise.
The country-specifics of the Healthcare and medicines policy will be updated to reflect a policy change for France:
France
| Product |
Allowed? |
|
Prescription drug services |
Google allows the promotion of telemedicine services by providers that are accredited by LegitScript’s Healthcare Merchant Certification and Monitoring Programme, which offers telemedicine certification to businesses that provide virtual healthcare services and facilitate prescribing. Advertisers cannot promote prescription drugs in their ads, landing pages and keywords. Learn more or apply for LegitScript certification. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply. |
Violations of this policy will not lead to immediate account suspension without prior warning. A warning will be issued at least seven days prior to any suspension of your account.
(Posted August 2023)