In January 2026,
Google will update the Pharmaceutical product policy for Authorized Buyers. Following the update, Authorized Buyers will be able to promote prescription drugs and prescription drug services in certain locations, in accordance with local laws and regulations. Authorized Buyers do not need to be certified with Google to promote this content. In addition, the policy language will be reorganized for improved clarity and readability.
AdSense has several options for reviewing and controlling the ads that appear in your apps. This article explains how you can prevent ads from specific categories from showing up in your apps.
The name of the policy will be changed to Pharmaceutical products and services, and the policy language will be updated to the following:
Pharmaceutical products and services policy
The Authorized Buyers Pharmaceutical products and services policy applies to prescription drugs, online pharmacies, unapproved pharmaceuticals and supplements, illegal drugs, and related products and services. Some content can be advertised, while other content is prohibited. All creatives must comply with all local laws, regulations, and industry standards.
Disapproved content
Buyers are not allowed to serve ads for some products and services on Google Partner Inventory, including:
•Clinical trials, contraception information and products, fertility tests and aids, miracle cures and related products, HIV home tests, and misleading health claims.
•Products that are considered unapproved pharmaceuticals or supplements.
•Illegal drugs, herbal drugs, drug paraphernalia, bongs, glass pipes, hookahs, pill presses, aids to pass drug tests.
•Recovery-oriented drug and alcohol addiction services, including 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.
•Speculative and experimental medical treatments, including stem cell therapy, cellular (non-stem) therapy, gene therapy and similar forms of regenerative medicine, platelet rich plasma, biohacking, do-it-yourself (DIY) genetic engineering products, and gene therapy kits.
Content allowed with restrictions
Buyers can serve ads for some products and services, in certain locations and with restrictions detailed below. Authorized Buyers do not need to be certified with Google to promote this content.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs
Authorized Buyers are allowed to serve creatives for over-the-counter (OTC) medications on Google Partner Inventory, in accordance with local laws, regulations, and industry standards.
Due to local restrictions, OTC creatives are not allowed in China, Russia, or Brazil. Any OTC creatives running in Korea require the ad deliberation number to be located in the ad creative with a font size of 8 or larger. Creatives without the ad deliberation number will be disapproved.
Restricted Drug Terms
Authorized Buyers are allowed to serve creatives using prescription drug terms on Google Partner Inventory in some locations, and in accordance with local laws and regulations. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of prescription drugs or active ingredients that are monitored under this policy.
In the United States, Canada, and New Zealand, creatives may use prescription drug terms for promotional purposes. This includes content promoting the branding, use, sale, and distribution of prescription drugs.
In other locations, creatives 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.
Prescription Drug Services
Authorized Buyers are allowed to serve creatives promoting online prescribing, dispensing, and sale of prescription drugs on Google Partner Inventory in some locations, in accordance with local laws and regulations. For a list of locations where such creatives can be promoted, see the Google Ads Prescription Drug Services policy.
Due to local restrictions, creatives promoting prescription drug services are not allowed in Brazil.
This update is specifically for Authorized Buyers policy, and does not impact other product policies, like Google Ads Healthcare and Medicines policy.
