Google provides translated versions of the Advertising Policies Help Center, though they're not meant to change the content of the policies. The English version is the official language used to enforce Google Ads policies. To view this article in a different language, use the language dropdown at the bottom of the page.
Display & Video 360 users must comply with this Google Ads policy. Visit the Display & Video 360 help center for additional restrictions.
We're 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 locations.
Learn more about the Healthcare and medicines policy.In this article
Google allows pharmaceutical manufacturers to advertise in select locations only. Pharmaceutical manufacturers must be certified by Google in order to serve ads.
Prescription drugs
Pharmaceutical manufacturers may promote prescription drugs in the following locations:
- 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 locations:
• Australia
• Austria
• Brazil
• Canada
• China
• Czech Republic
• France
• Germany
• Hungary
• Hong Kong
• India
• Italy
• Japan
• Kenya• Mexico
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• The Philippines
• Poland
• Portugal
• Russia
• Slovakia
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sweden
• United Kingdom
• United States
Other manufacturers and suppliers: Bulk drug manufacturers, medical professional suppliers, and antibody/peptide/compound suppliers for commercial labs may advertise in the following locations only:
- Canada
- United States
1. Adhere to all location-specific requirements. If your campaign targets a location that isn't listed, then we don't allow the promotion of those products in that location.
2. Fill out our online application form.
- Be sure to include your Google Ads customer ID. You can locate this ID 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.
Options to fix
If this policy is affecting your ad, review your options to fix below.
Apply for certification
If your ad was disapproved due to a missing Google certification and you meet the requirements, apply for certification. If you want to advertise in more than one location, submit a separate application for each location or group of locations.
Edit your ads to comply with this policy
Make sure that you’re only targeting locations that allow promotion of in-scope products and services and that you’re certified to advertise in all the locations you’re targeting. You can also choose a new landing page for your ad that complies with this policy.
- Go to Ads within the Campaigns
menu.
- Hover over the ad or asset and select Edit.
- Edit the ad or asset so that it complies with the policy.
- Select Save.
Your ad will be automatically reviewed again. Check the ad’s status in the “Ads & assets” page for updates.
Learn more about how to Fix an ad with policy violations.
Appeal policy decision
If you believe there’s been an error and that you haven’t violated Google Ads' policies, appeal the policy decision directly from your Google Ads account to request a review. If the review determines that your ads are compliant, they can run again. If you aren't able to fix these violations or choose not to, remove your ad to help prevent your account from becoming suspended in the future for repeated policy violations.