Healthcare and medicines

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Healthcare and medicines

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We are dedicated to following advertising regulations for healthcare and medicine, so we expect that ads and destinations follow appropriate laws and industry standards. Some healthcare-related content can’t be advertised at all, while others can only be advertised if the advertiser is certified with Google and targets only approved countries. Check local regulations for the areas you want to target.

Below are some examples of healthcare content that we allow in certain circumstances. Some content is only available in specific regions, so be sure to check the list of country-specific restrictions for every country where you plan to advertise. Learn about what happens if you violate our policies.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers

Google allows pharmaceutical manufacturers to advertise in select countries only.

Prescription drugs

Pharmaceutical manufacturers may promote prescription drugs in the following countries only: Canada, New Zealand, United States. Pharmaceutical manufacturers may not promote prescription opioid painkillers.

Over-the-counter medicines

Pharmaceutical manufacturers may promote over-the-counter medicines in the following countries only: Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, The Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam.

Other manufacturers and suppliers

Bulk drug manufacturers, medical professional suppliers, and antibody/peptide/compound suppliers for commercial labs may advertise in the following countries only: Canada, United States

Certification

Pharmaceutical manufacturers must be certified by Google in order to serve ads. See how to apply below.

Unauthorized pharmacies

The following is not allowed:

Offering prescription drugs without a prescription

Targeting locations where you are not licensed

We take violations of this policy very seriously and consider them egregious. An egregious violation of the Google Ads policies is a violation so serious that it is unlawful or poses significant harm to our users. In determining whether an advertiser or destination is violating this policy, we may review information from multiple sources including your ad, website, accounts, and third-party sources.  If we find violations of this policy, we will suspend your Google Ads accounts upon detection and without prior warning, and you will not be allowed to advertise with us again. If you believe there's been an error, and that you haven’t violated our policy, submit an appeal and explain why. We only reinstate accounts in compelling circumstances, and when there is good reason so it's important that you take the time to be thorough, accurate, and honest. Learn more about suspended accounts.

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, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and the United States.

Check the country-specific section of the Healthcare & 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, Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Lithuania, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, South Africa, United Kingdom, and the 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.

Restricted drug terms

In most parts of the world, Google doesn't allow the use of prescription drug terms in ad text, landing pages, or keywords.

• For campaigns targeting Canada, New Zealand, or the United States, certain businesses such as online pharmacies and pharmaceutical manufacturers may use prescription drug terms in ad text and landing pages. While you do not need to be certified in order to serve your ads, you must be certified in order to keyword target prescription drug terms. These businesses must be certified by Google in order to serve ads — see how to apply below.
• If your campaigns do not target Canada, New Zealand, or the United States, you may not use prescription drug terms in ad text or landing pages.
• In limited cases, and where permitted by local law, Google allows exceptions to this policy for public health and safety awareness campaigns from governmental or well-established non-profit health advocacy organizations. If you would like to apply for such an exception to use prescription drug terms in ad text, landing pages, or keywords, please contact us.

See a non-exhaustive list of prescription drugs or active ingredients that are monitored under this policy.

Troubleshooter: Restricted drug term

Your ad, website, or app is promoting prescription drugs, and that isn't allowed for at least one country that your campaign targets.

Remove all references to prescription drugs and steroids from your ad and website or app. Alternatively, you can change your location targeting for your campaigns to target only countries where this service is allowed. See the section above for more detail around country-specific restrictions for the countries that you're targeting.

Restricted animal drug terms

For campaigns targeting Canada or the United States, Google restricts the use of prescription animal drug terms when the drugs are intended for animal use and are not prone to human abuse or other misuse. Animal prescription drugs that are prone to human abuse or other misuse are subject to the Restricted Drug Terms policy. While you do not need to be certified in order to serve your ads, you must be certified in order to keyword target animal prescription drug terms in Canada and the United States—see how to apply below.

Unapproved substances

Google doesn't allow the promotion of the following content, irrespective of any claims of legality:

• All items on this non-exhaustive list of prohibited pharmaceuticals and supplements
• Products that contain ephedra
• Products containing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in relation to weight loss or weight control, or when promoted in conjunction with anabolic steroids
• Herbal and dietary supplements with active pharmaceutical or dangerous ingredients
• Products that imply they are as effective as prescription drugs or controlled substances
• Non-government approved products that are marketed in a way that implies that they're safe or effective for use in preventing, curing, or treating a particular disease or ailment
• Products that have been subject to any government or regulatory action or warning
• Products with names that are confusingly similar to an unapproved pharmaceutical or supplement or controlled substance

Google does not allow the promotion of DHEA products anywhere except the United States, and Google does not allow the promotion of Melatonin products anywhere except Canada and the United States.

For additional information on the unapproved or misleading pharmaceuticals and supplements that we monitor, please visit www.legitscript.com.

Troubleshooter: Unapproved substances

1. Fix the ad's destination. Remove any references to the substances prohibited by this policy. If you can’t fix the ad’s destination, update the ad with a new destination that complies with this policy.

2. Edit the ad. Remove any content that we don’t allow. If your ad already complies with the policy but you made changes to the ad’s destination, edit the ad and save it. This will resubmit the ad and its destination for review.

   Most ads are reviewed within 1 business day, though some can take longer if they need a more complex review.

Troubleshooter: DHEA or Melatonin

Target a different location. If your ad meets the basic policy requirements but not those for the countries that your campaign targets, you can choose to edit your location targeting to run your ads somewhere else where they do meet our requirements. Once you target your campaign only to acceptable locations, please request a review of your disapproved ads, and we'll check if they can start running:
Request a review

Or, if it's important to keep targeting your existing locations, follow the steps below to make your ad and destination comply.

1. Fix the ad's destination. Remove any references to the substances prohibited by this policy. If you can’t fix the ad’s destination, update the ad with a new destination that complies with this policy.

2. Edit the ad. Remove any content that we don’t allow. If your ad already complies with the policy but you made changes to the ad’s destination, edit the ad and save it. This will resubmit the ad and its destination for review.

   Most ads are reviewed within 1 business day, though some can take longer if they need a more complex review.

Prescription opioid painkillers

Google does not allow ads promoting or selling prescription opioid painkillers. This does not include medication-assisted treatment (MAT) drugs for opioid use disorder that meet all other requirements for prescription drugs listed on this page.

In limited cases, and where permitted by local law, Google allows some advertisers to apply for a certification that will allow them to refer to opioids in their ads. These advertisers include (a) public health and safety awareness campaigns from governmental or well-established non-profit health advocacy organizations, (b) ads for non-opioid pharmaceuticals that only refer to prescription opioids in their safety information, (c) certified addiction treatment providers in the United States, and (d) verified election advertisers. Verified election advertisers may only target regions in which they are certified to run election ads.

Advertisers without any of the above certifications are prohibited from referring to opioid painkillers in their ads whatsoever. Advertisers can apply for any of the above certifications here.

We take abuse of these certifications very seriously and consider it an egregious violation. In determining whether an advertiser or destination is violating this policy, we may review information from multiple sources including your ad, website, accounts, and third-party sources. If we find an advertiser has abused these certifications by running ads selling or promoting opioid painkillers, we will suspend their Google Ads account upon detection and without prior warning, and they will not be allowed to advertise with us again. If you believe there's been an error, and that you haven’t violated our policy, submit an appeal and explain why. We only reinstate accounts in compelling circumstances, and when there is good reason so it's important that you take the time to be thorough, accurate, and honest. Learn more about suspended accounts.

 

Speculative and experimental medical treatment, cell therapies, and gene therapies

Except as provided below in relation to the promotion of cell or gene therapies in the United States, the following is not allowed:

 Promotion of speculative and/or experimental medical treatments.

Examples (non-exhaustive): Biohacking, do-it-yourself (DIY) genetic engineering products, gene therapy kits

 Promotion of cell or gene therapies, subject to the exception below.

Examples (non-exhaustive): Stem cell therapy, cellular (non-stem) therapy, gene therapy and similar forms of regenerative medicine, platelet rich plasma

In the United States, Google allows the promotion of FDA licensed or approved cell or gene therapies by entities that hold the relevant FDA license or approval to market that product.  If you would like to apply for such an exception, please contact us.

 Google allows ads for cell or gene therapies that are exclusively educational or informational in nature, regardless of regulatory approval status.

Examples (non-exhaustive): Academic papers, tickets for medical conferences

 

Learn how to fix a disapproved ad.

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.

Clinical trial recruitment

Google doesn't allow the promotion of clinical trial recruitment except in Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam.

Promotions for clinical trial recruitment may not promote prescription drugs or create misleading expectations or effects of a product being tested, or imply that the product being tested is safe.

Troubleshooter: Clinical trial recruitment

Target a different location. If your ad meets the basic policy requirements but not those for the countries that your campaign targets, you can choose to edit your location targeting to run your ads somewhere else where they do meet our requirements. Once you target your campaign only to acceptable locations, please request a review of your disapproved ads, and we'll check if they can start running:
Request a review

Or, if it's important to keep targeting your existing locations, follow the steps below to make your ad and site or app comply.

1. Fix the ad’s destination. Remove any references to the substances prohibited by this policy. If you can’t fix the ad’s destination, update the ad with a new destination that complies with this policy.

2. Edit the ad. Remove any content that we don’t allow. If your ad already complies with the policy but you made changes to the ad’s destination, edit the ad and save it. This will resubmit the ad and its destination for review.

   Most ads are reviewed within 1 business day, though some can take longer if they need a more complex review.

HIV home tests

Google prohibits the promotion of HIV home tests everywhere in the world except in the United States, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, advertisers may promote home HIV tests that are FDA approved. In France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom advertisers may promote home HIV tests that meet local regulatory requirements.

Troubleshooter: HIV home tests

Target a different location. If your ad meets the basic policy requirements but not those for the countries that your campaign targets, you can choose to edit your location targeting to run your ads somewhere else where they do meet our requirements. Once you target your campaign only to acceptable locations, please request a review of your disapproved ads, and we'll check if they can start running:
Request a review

Or, if it's important to keep targeting your existing locations, follow the steps below to make your ad and site or app comply.

1. Fix the ad’s destination. Remove any references to the substances prohibited by this policy. If you can’t fix the ad’s destination, update the ad with a new destination that complies with this policy.

2. Edit the ad. Remove any content that we don’t allow. If your ad already complies with the policy but you made changes to the ad’s destination, edit the ad and save it. This will resubmit the ad and its destination for review.

   Most ads are reviewed within 1 business day, though some can take longer if they need a more complex review.

Abortion

Countries

The following is not allowed:

Abortion ads in the following countries:

Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Bahrain, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, France, Germany, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Korea (South), Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian Territory, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saint Barthelemy, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Suriname, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yemen

Google Ads Network restrictions

If your ads target one or more locations where abortion ads are not allowed, they will be classified as Eligible (limited), meaning they will only show in approved areas, and there may be additional restrictions for your country. See the country-specific sections below for more information about how policies differ by country.

Abortion-related ads won't appear on the Google Display Network, even if they are Eligible (limited).

Abortion advertiser certification and disclosure requirements

In the United States, United Kingdom, and Ireland, if you want to run ads using queries related to getting an abortion, you will first need to be certified as an advertiser that either provides abortions or does not provide abortions. 

Depending on how you’re certified, Google will automatically generate one of the following in-ad disclosures for your abortion product or service ads: “Provides abortions” or “Does not provide abortions.” This applies to all Search ad formats.

Learn more about the policy and how to apply for certification.

Troubleshooter: Abortion advertiser certification and disclosures

1. In the United States, United Kingdom, and Ireland, if you want to run ads using keywords related to getting an abortion, you will first need to be certified as an advertiser that either provides abortions or does not provide abortions.

2. Contact us to have your ad reviewed again, or edit the ad. This will resubmit the ad and its destination for review. Most ads are reviewed within 1 business day, though some can take longer if they need a more complex review.

3. If you’re unable to complete the verification process, remove any keywords related to getting an abortion.

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.

Birth control

Google doesn't allow ads related to birth control or fertility products in the following countries: Bahrain, China, Djibouti, Egypt, Hong Kong, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian Territory, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Yemen

Troubleshooter: Birth control

Target a different location. If your ad meets the basic policy requirements but not those for the countries that your campaign targets, you can choose to edit your location targeting to run your ads somewhere else where they do meet our requirements. Once you target your campaign only to acceptable locations, please request a review of your disapproved ads, and we'll check if they can start running:
Request a review

Or, if it's important to keep targeting your existing locations, follow the steps below to make your ad and site or app comply.

1. Fix the ad’s destination. Remove any references to the substances prohibited by this policy. If you can’t fix the ad’s destination, update the ad with a new destination that complies with this policy.

2. Edit the ad. Remove any content that we don’t allow. If your ad already complies with the policy but you made changes to the ad’s destination, edit the ad and save it. This will resubmit the ad and its destination for review.

   Most ads are reviewed within 1 business day, though some can take longer if they need a more complex review.

Addiction services

Google restricts advertising for recovery-oriented drug and alcohol addiction services.

Examples of recovery-oriented addiction services: Clinical addiction treatment providers, recovery support services like sober living environments and mutual help organizations, lead generators or referral agencies for addiction services, crisis hotlines for drug and alcohol addiction

Countries
Google only allows ads for addiction services in Australia, France, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United States. Google does not allow ads for addiction services in other countries.

Keywords
Google allows only addiction services advertisers to bid on keywords relating to drug and alcohol addiction.

Certification
Addiction services advertisers must be certified by Google in order to serve ads. Check the country-specific requirements under How does this policy differ from country to country? See how to apply below.

Health Insurance

In the United States, you must be certified by Google in order to advertise health and medical insurance coverage, with the exception of government advertisers, who will be pre-approved. Advertisements exclusively for dental, vision, and/or travel health insurance coverage are not restricted.

Examples of health and medical insurance coverage: individual health insurance, short-term insurance, limited-duration insurance, fixed indemnity health insurance, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, Medicaid.

Health and medical insurance advertisers, other than government advertisers, must be certified by Google in order to serve ads in the United States. This certification is required for all ad formats and assets. Check the requirements for the United States under How does this policy differ from country to country? See how to apply below.

Apply for healthcare products and services certification 

Certain advertisers — such as online pharmacies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and others looking to use prescription drug terms in ad text or landing pages or health insurance advertisers in the United States — need to be certified with Google in order to advertise. If you are such an advertiser, here's how to apply to be certified:

1. Adhere to all country-specific requirements below. If your campaign targets a country that isn't listed, then we don't allow the promotion of prescription drugs or over-the-counter medicines by pharmaceutical manufacturers in that country.

2. Fill out our online application form.

• Please be sure to include your Google Ads customer ID, located at the top of your account pages.
• To cut down on any unnecessary delays, be sure to fill out all of the requested information.
• If you are an agency applying on behalf of an advertiser, please send documentation detailing your relationship with the advertiser or license holder.

Effect of the policy

If your ad meets the requirements above and is eligible, here are details of how it can run:

Certification
Advertisers need to apply for certification from Google in order to run certain types of healthcare-related ads. See more details above.

Country

See the requirements above to learn where certain kinds of healthcare and medicines ads can and cannot run. If your ad campaign targets only countries where we don't allow these ads, your ad will be labeled "Disapproved" and won't run at all. If your ad campaign targets allowed and disallowed countries, your ad will be labeled "Eligible (limited)" and won't run in the disallowed countries (but can run in the allowed countries).

Ad Formats
Acceptable ad formats can vary depending on factors such as the platform you're using, the status of your ad, and whether a publisher or partner has opted to show such ads. Here is an example: Cannot promote healthcare and medicines ads: Google TV masthead ads

How does this policy differ from country to country?

In addition to the content-based restrictions above, there may be further requirements based on the countries that your campaign targets. Choose a country below to see additional requirements that you must meet in order for your ad campaign to target that country.

 

Australia

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies, telemedicine	Allowed with limitations Online pharmacies Google allows the promotion of online pharmacies if they are verified by LegitScript’s Healthcare Merchant Certification Program OR if they meet one of the following state- and territory-level requirements: Pharmacies in New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia must be registered with the relevant regulatory authority: Pharmacy Council of New South Wales, Pharmacy Regulation Authority South Australia, Tasmanian Pharmacy Authority, Victorian Pharmacy Authority, or the Pharmacy Registration Board of Western Australia. Pharmacies in Queensland, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory must be owned or controlled by a pharmacist that is registered with the Pharmacy Board of Australia. Telemedicine Google allows the promotion of telemedicine providers if they are verified by LegitScript’s Healthcare Merchant Certification Program. Ads targeting Australia can't use prescription drug terms in the ad or its destination. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.
Addiction Services	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of recovery-oriented drug and alcohol addiction services by government entities only. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.

Austria

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of online pharmacies if they're registered with the Bundesamt für Sicherheit im Gesundheitswesen and don't use prescription drug terms in their ads and landing pages. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.

Belgium

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of online pharmacies if they’re registered with the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products. Advertisers can't promote prescription drugs in their ads or landing pages. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.

Brazil

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of online pharmacies if they're registered with the National Health Inspection Agency (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária -- ANVISA) and don't promote prescription drugs in their ads, landing pages, and keywords. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.

Canada

Product

Allowed?

Online pharmacies, telemedicine

Allowed with limitations Google allows online pharmacies if they're accredited by one of the organizations listed below: LegitScript Healthcare Merchant Certification Program 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. National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) Digital Pharmacy Accreditation — 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 as part of the Healthcare Merchant Accreditation Program — 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. Google allows telemedicine providers if they’re accredited by LegitScript’s Healthcare Merchant Certification Program, which offers telemedicine certification to websites that provide virtual healthcare services and facilitate prescribing. Learn more or apply for LegitScript certification or NABP accreditation. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.

 

China

 

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of online pharmacies if they're registered with the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) of China and don't promote prescription drugs in their ads, landing pages, and keywords. Advertising prescription collection and delivery services is not allowed. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.
Medical services	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of medical services in China as long as you submit the required documentation and have been certified by Google.

Czechia

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of online pharmacies if they’re registered with the Czech State Institute for Drug Control. Advertisers can't promote prescription drugs in their ads and landing pages. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. Check how to apply.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers	Allowed with limitations Google allows pharmaceutical manufacturers to promote over-the-counter medicines in accordance with the local law in Czechia. Check how to apply above.

Estonia

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of online pharmacies if they’re registered with the State Agency of Medicines of Estonia. Advertisers can't promote prescription drugs in their ads or landing pages. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.

France

Product	Allowed?
Telemedicine	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of telemedicine services by providers that are accredited by LegitScript’s Healthcare Merchant Certification Program, 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.
Addiction services	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of recovery-oriented drug and alcohol addiction services by government entities only. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.

Germany

Product

Allowed?

Online pharmacies

Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of online pharmacies  (including pharmacies, medicine retailers, and pharmacy associations) that don't promote prescription drugs in their ads and landing pages under the following circumstances. Registered online medicine retailers (mail order pharmacies and other online medicine retailers registered by DIMDI) Licensed pharmacies with a valid operating authorization Pharmacy associations representing licensed pharmacies and/or mail order pharmacies and advertising on their behalf Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply above.

Hong Kong

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of online pharmacies if they're registered with the Drug Office, Department of Health of the Hong Kong Government, and don't promote prescription drugs in their ads, landing pages or keywords. Advertising prescription collection and delivery services is not permitted. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.

Hungary

Product	Allowed?
Pharmaceutical manufacturers	Allowed with limitations Google allows pharmaceutical manufacturers to promote over-the-counter medicines in accordance with the local law in Hungary. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply above.

India

Product	Allowed?
Pharmaceutical manufacturers	Allowed with limitations Google allows pharmaceutical manufacturers to promote over-the-counter medicines in accordance with the local law in India.
Pre-natal gender determination products	Not allowed Google does not allow advertisements for these products in India. Supreme Court Order (PDF)

Indonesia

Product	Allowed?
Pharmaceutical manufacturers	Allowed with limitations Google allows pharmaceutical manufacturers to promote over-the-counter medicines in accordance with the local law in Indonesia. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply above.

Ireland

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies	Not allowed In Ireland, Google doesn't allow the promotion of online pharmacies that offer prescription collection, delivery services, sale of non-medicinal products, or online consultation (not including consultation with a doctor).
Addiction Services	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of recovery-oriented drug and alcohol addiction services by government entities only. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.

Israel

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of online pharmacies if they're registered with the Ministry of Health. Advertisers can't promote prescription drugs in their ads and landing pages. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply above.

Japan

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of online pharmacies in Japan, as long as they provide a valid license number for their "License for marketing authorization holder." Advertising prescription collection and delivery services is not permitted. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.
Prescription drugs	Allowed with limitations Google doesn't allow the use of prescription drug terms in ad text, landing pages, or keywords, with the following exceptions: Websites accessible only to healthcare professionals, brick-and-mortar pharmacies, and pharmaceutical manufacturers may use prescription drug terms in keywords. If you're an organization qualified for these exceptions, please contact us via our online form.
Over-the-counter drugs	Allowed with limitations Google allows ads promoting over-the-counter drugs to show in Japan, as long as the advertiser has a valid license number and the license number is displayed on the website.

Kenya

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of online pharmacies if they’re registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board. Advertisers can't promote prescription drugs in their ads and landing pages. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers	Allowed with limitations Google allows pharmaceutical manufacturers to promote over-the-counter medicines in accordance with the local law in Kenya. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply above.

Korea

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of over-the-counter medicines in accordance with local law in South Korea.

Lithuania

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of online pharmacies if they’re registered with the State Medicines Control Agency of Lithuania. Advertisers can't promote prescription drugs in their ads or landing pages. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.

Malaysia

Product	Allowed?
Pharmaceutical manufacturers	Allowed with limitations Google allows pharmaceutical manufacturers to promote over-the-counter medicines in accordance with the local law in Malaysia. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply above.

Mexico

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of online pharmacies if they're registered with the COFEPRIS and don't promote prescription drugs in their ads, landing pages, and keywords. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply above. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.

Netherlands

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of online pharmacies if they're registered with the Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport and appear on the dedicated online repository. Online pharmacies can't promote prescription drugs in their ads and landing pages. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.

New Zealand

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of online pharmacies if they're accredited by the Ministry of Health. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.
Addiction Services	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of recovery-oriented drug and alcohol addiction services by government entities only. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.

Norway

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of online pharmacies if they’re registered with the Norwegian Medical Products Agency. Advertisers can't promote prescription drugs in their ads and landing pages. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. Check how to apply.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers	Allowed with limitations Google allows pharmaceutical manufacturers to promote over-the-counter medicines in accordance with the local law in Norway. Check how to apply above.

The Philippines

Product	Allowed?
Pharmaceutical manufacturers	Allowed with limitations Google allows pharmaceutical manufacturers to promote over-the-counter medicines in accordance with the local law in the Philippines. See how to apply above.

 

Poland

 

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies	Not allowed Google doesn't allow the promotion of any online pharmacies regardless of whether they offer prescription collection and delivery services.

Portugal

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of online pharmacies if they’re registered with the National Authority of Medicines and Health Products (INFARMED). Advertisers can't promote prescription drugs in their ads and landing pages. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. Check how to apply.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers	Allowed with limitations Google allows pharmaceutical manufacturers to promote over-the-counter medicines in accordance with the local law in Portugal. Check how to apply above.

Russia

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of online pharmacies if they’re licensed by the Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare (Roszdravnadzor) and have a permit for distant trade . All pharmacies must be licensed, regardless of whether they offer only non-prescription products. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers	Allowed with limitations Google allows pharmaceutical manufacturers to promote over-the-counter medicines in accordance with the local law in this location. All such promotions that target Russia must include one of the following four Russian disclaimers in the ad: "Есть противопоказания. Посоветуйтесь с врачом." or "Есть противопоказания. Узнайте у врача." or “Есть противопоказания. Перед применением необходимо ознакомиться с инструкцией." or "Имеются противопоказания, необходимо проконсультироваться со специалистом." Pharmaceutical manufacturers must also be certified with Google.

Singapore

Product	Allowed?
Pharmaceutical manufacturers	Allowed with limitations Google allows pharmaceutical manufacturers to promote over-the-counter medicines in accordance with the local law in Singapore. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply above.

Slovakia

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of online pharmacies if they’re registered with Slovakia’s State Institute for Drug Control. Advertisers can't promote prescription drugs in their ads and landing pages. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. Check how to apply.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers	Allowed with limitations Google allows pharmaceutical manufacturers to promote over-the-counter medicines in accordance with the local law in Slovakia. Check how to apply above.

South Africa

 

Product

Allowed?

Online pharmacies, telemedicine

Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of online pharmacies and telemedicine providers if they meet the following requirements: Pharmacies must be registered with or have a license that is recorded with the South African Pharmacy Council. Telemedicine providers must be accredited by LegitScript’s Healthcare Merchant Certification Program, which offers telemedicine certification to websites that provide virtual healthcare services and facilitate prescribing. Advertisers can't promote prescription drugs in their ads or landing pages. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.

 

Sweden

Product

Allowed?

Online pharmacies, telemedicine

Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of online pharmacies and telemedicine providers in Sweden if they meet the following requirements: Pharmacies that are registered with the Swedish Medical Product Agency. Telemedicine providers that are accredited by LegitScript’s Healthcare Merchant Certification Program, which offers telemedicine certification to websites that provide virtual healthcare services and facilitate prescribing. Advertisers must not 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.

Taiwan

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of online pharmacies if they're registered with the Ministry of Health and Welfare and don't promote prescription drugs in their ads, landing pages, and keywords. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.

Thailand

Product	Allowed?
Pharmaceutical manufacturers	Allowed with limitations Google allows pharmaceutical manufacturers to promote over-the-counter medicines in accordance with the local law in Thailand. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply above.

United Kingdom

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies	Allowed with limitations Google allows the promotion of online pharmacies if they're registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Advertisers can't promote prescription drugs in their ads and landing pages. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.

United States

Product	Allowed?
Online pharmacies, telemedicine	Allowed with limitations Google allows online pharmacies if they're accredited by one of the organizations listed below: LegitScript Healthcare Merchant Certification Program 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. National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) Digital Pharmacy Accreditation — 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 as part of the Healthcare Merchant Accreditation Program — 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. Google allows telemedicine providers if they’re accredited by LegitScript’s Healthcare Merchant Certification Program, which offers telemedicine certification to websites that provide virtual healthcare services and facilitate prescribing. Learn more or apply for LegitScript certification or NABP accreditation. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.
Addiction services	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 program. About LegitScript Certification: Not all drug and alcohol addiction services are eligible for LegitScript Certification. Those that are not eligible for certification are not 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.
Health insurance	Allowed with limitations Government advertisers are permitted to advertise for health and medical insurance. (e.g., State exchanges, healthcare.gov). Government agencies are not required to be G2 certified in order to be eligible, but must complete Google’s certification process. For government agencies, please write government agency request on fields 10 and 11 of the application form. All other advertisers must be certified with G2 in order to advertise for health and medical insurance. About G2 Certification: Not all health insurance advertisers are eligible for G2 Certification. Those that are not eligible for certification are not allowed to advertise for healthcare services on Google. G2 charges a fee for processing and monitoring applicants. Learn more or apply for G2 Certification. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.

Vietnam

Product	Allowed?
Pharmaceutical manufacturers	Allowed with limitations Google allows pharmaceutical manufacturers that are certified by LegitScript to promote over-the-counter medicines in accordance with the local law. Learn more or apply for LegitScript certification. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply.

Troubleshooting a disapproval

If your ad is disapproved for violating this policy, try reviewing the following tips to help resolve your issue:

Disapproval reason	What does it mean?	What do I do now?
Prescription drug services (online pharmacy, telemedicine) certification required	Your ad, website, or app is promoting prescription drugs or related products but your account isn't certified by Google.	Remove all references to promoting prescription drugs from your ad and website or app. Alternately, if you're a licensed online pharmacy, you can be certified with Google — see how to apply above.
Targeting does not match policy	Your ad, website, or app is promoting prescription drugs or related products, and even though your account is certified by Google, your ad is targeting a country outside the country that you were certified for.	Remove all references to promoting prescription drugs online from your ad and website or app. Alternatively, you can change your location targeting for your campaigns to match the country where you're certified to advertise your pharmacy. See the section above for more detail around country-specific restrictions for the countries that you're targeting.
URL does not match online pharmacy certification	Your ad, website, or app is promoting prescription drugs or related products, and even though your account is certified by Google, the website or app that the ad promotes doesn't match the one that's certified by Google.	Remove all references to promoting prescription drugs online from your ad and website. Alternatively, you can change your ad to promote the website or app that was submitted in your certification request. If you'd like to use a new website or app as an online pharmacy, it must also be certified with Google — see how to apply above.
OTC drugs license number required	Your ad, website, or app is promoting over-the-counter drugs without a license number, and that's not allowed for at least one country that your campaign targets.	Remove all references to over-the-counter drugs without a license number from your ad and website or app. Alternatively, you can change your location targeting for your campaigns to target only countries where this service is allowed. See the section above for more detail around country-specific restrictions for the countries that you're targeting.
Prescription drug targeting	Your ad, website, or app is promoting prescription drugs, and that isn't allowed for at least one country that your campaign targets.	Remove all references to prescription drugs and steroids from your ad and website or app. Alternatively, you can change your location targeting for your campaigns to target only countries where this service is allowed. See the section above for more detail around country-specific restrictions for the countries that you're targeting.

Need help?

If you have questions about our policies, contact Google Ads Support.