Update to Healthcare and Medicines Policy (October 2025)

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In October 2025, the Google Ads Healthcare and Medicines policy will be updated to reflect changes to our approach to advertiser use of prescription drug terms. When the policy launches, the Restricted Drug Terms policy page will be updated with the following language:

Restricted Drug Terms

Google restricts the use of prescription drug terms in ads, landing pages, and keywords. Depending on location, you may be able to use these terms for the purpose of promoting prescription drugs.

For examples of content monitored under this policy, see this non-exhaustive list of prescription drugs and active ingredients.

Campaigns targeting Canada, New Zealand, or United States

You may use prescription drug terms for promotional purposes, in accordance with local laws and regulations. This includes content promoting the branding, use, sale, and distribution of prescription drugs.

While you don’t need to be certified in order to use prescription drug terms in ads and landing pages, you must be certified in order to keyword-target these terms. Certification is also required for certain business types, like online pharmacies, telemedicine providers, and pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Campaigns targeting locations except Canada, New Zealand, and United States

You may not use prescription drug terms for promotional purposes. Non-promotional use of prescription drug terms, such as in regulatory warnings, legal notices, public health and safety campaigns, and academic publications, is permitted. 

Certain businesses, such as online pharmacies and telemedicine providers, may keyword-target prescription drug terms with certification.

We will begin enforcing the policy update on October 29, with full enforcement ramping up over approximately 4-6 weeks.

Violations of this policy will not lead to immediate account suspension without prior warning. A warning will be issued at least 7 days prior to any suspension of your account. Learn more about suspended accounts.

(Posted on October 14, 2025)