Google Ads Updates It Prescription Drug Terms Healthcare and Medicines Policy

"Ginny Marvin, the Google Ads Liason, clarified on X: To clarify, our approach to keyword targeting in this area remains the same. The shift in the policy permits ads that use prescription drug terms in ad text and landing pages for non-promotional purposes (like public health announcements or academic publications). Our policy has long required certification for keyword targeting. The new update does not change this requirement."

"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."

Google Ads will update the Healthcare and Medicines policy to change allowable use of prescription drug terms, with enforcement beginning October 29, 2025. Ads and landing pages may include prescription drug terms for non-promotional purposes such as public health announcements or academic publications. Certification remains required for keyword targeting and continues to be required for certain business types. Campaigns targeting Canada, New Zealand, and the United States may use prescription drug terms for promotional purposes in accordance with local laws, while campaigns targeting other locations may not use these terms for promotional purposes.

Read at Search Engine Roundtable