Update to Healthcare and medicines policy (April 2020)

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In April 2020, Google updated the US and Canada country-specifics of the Healthcare and medicines policy to allow certified telemedicine providers to promote online pharmacy services. As a result, LegitScript certified telemedicine providers may apply for healthcare related advertising effective immediately.

United States

Product

Allowed?

Online pharmacies

Green checkmark, allowed Allowed with limitations

Google allows online pharmacies if they're accredited by one of the organisations listed below:

LegitScript Healthcare Merchant Certification and Monitoring Programme

Internet pharmacy certification – Available to websites that accept refills, transfers or new prescriptions; or pharmacies that fill via mail order or some other form of remote ordering service.

Telemedicine certification – Available to websites that offer virtual healthcare services and facilitate prescribing.

National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)

VIPPS – Available to pharmacies with full online functionality, including the sale (or facilitation of sale) of prescription drugs or the acceptance of new prescription drug orders through their website.

.pharmacy Verified Websites Programme – Websites with a '.pharmacy' top-level domain are available to pharmacies with full or limited online functionality, including sale (or facilitation of sale) of prescription drugs or services, acceptance of new prescription drug orders through their website, and prescription refills or transfers.

Learn more or apply for LegitScript certification or NABP accreditation.

Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.

Addiction services

Green checkmark, allowed Allowed with limitations

In order to advertise for recovery-oriented drug and alcohol addiction services, you must be certified as an addiction services provider by the LegitScript Certification programme.

About LegitScript Certification: Not all drug and alcohol addiction services are eligible for LegitScript Certification. Those that aren't eligible for certification aren't allowed to advertise for drug and alcohol addiction services on Google. LegitScript charges a fee for processing and monitoring applicants, but fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances. Learn more or apply for LegitScript Certification.

Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.

Canada

Product

Allowed?

Online pharmacies

Green checkmark, allowed Allowed with limitations

Google allows online pharmacies if they're accredited by one of the organisations listed below:

LegitScript Healthcare Merchant Certification and Monitoring Programme

Internet pharmacy certification – Available to websites that accept refills, transfers or new prescriptions; or pharmacies that fill via mail order or some other form of remote ordering service.

Telemedicine certification – Available to websites that offer virtual healthcare services and facilitate prescribing.

National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)

VIPPS – Available to pharmacies with full online functionality, including the sale (or facilitation of sale) of prescription drugs or the acceptance of new prescription drug orders through their website.

.pharmacy Verified Websites Programme – Websites with a '.pharmacy' top-level domain are available to pharmacies with full or limited online functionality, including sale (or facilitation of sale) of prescription drugs or services, acceptance of new prescription drug orders through their website, and prescription refills or transfers.

Learn more or apply for LegitScript certification or NABP accreditation.

Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.

(Posted April 2020)

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