Documented by Meta. The steps and rules on this page come from Meta’s own documentation.
How do Meta ads work for online pharmacies?
Online pharmacies can promote prescription drugs on Meta only with Meta's authorization, which requires active LegitScript certification, and only to people 18 or older in the United States, Canada or New Zealand. Over-the-counter medicine ads must follow local law and cannot target under-18s. Unauthorized sales ads for prescription drugs are not allowed.
Prescription medicine is the most gated product in Meta’s health rules. Meta says promoting prescription drugs is not allowed without its prior written permission, and eligibility is limited to online pharmacies, telehealth providers and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Over-the-counter medicine has its own rules. Read the linked pages and ask a qualified adviser what applies where you sell.
What does an online pharmacy need before it can run prescription ads?
Meta’s help article defines an online pharmacy as a person, entity or internet site that delivers, distributes or dispenses, or offers or attempts to do so, a controlled substance legally by means of the internet. Meta says online pharmacies must be actively certified with LegitScript before they submit an application.
The steps it lists, in Meta Business Suite under Authorizations and Verifications, are:
- Obtain LegitScript certification. Meta says LegitScript operates independently and it cannot give support on those applications.
- Choose the eligible country you will advertise from. You need LegitScript certification for that country.
- Select online pharmacy as the business type and verify using LegitScript.
- Provide the certified website URL, your business name and the ad accounts to authorize.
Meta says you are notified of the application status right away, and that authorization may be revoked if your LegitScript certification is no longer active.
Where can authorized prescription ads run?
Once authorized, Meta says you may share information on medical efficacy, accessibility and affordability of treatments, as long as you:
- target only people in the eligible countries, the United States, Canada or New Zealand;
- target only people in the countries where you are certified;
- target only people 18 years or older;
- comply with all other applicable policies.
If you ship or serve customers elsewhere, Meta’s rule means you cannot target them with a prescription drug ad.
What can an authorized ad say?
Meta gives a non-exhaustive list of what authorized advertisers can do: list the price, offer paid or free delivery, use calls to action with explicit or implied sales language, state availability such as in stock, compare brands or share results from use, encourage consultation with medical experts, and promote price or delivery discounts.
What needs no authorization?
Meta says you do not need authorization for ads that only educate, advocate or give public service announcements related to prescription drugs, or that only promote telehealth services generally. Use that carefully: Meta’s policy prohibits promoting prescription drugs without permission.
What are the rules for over-the-counter medicine?
Meta’s policy says ads promoting the sale of over-the-counter medicines must comply with all applicable local laws, required or established industry codes, guidelines, licences and approvals. Meta does not allow targeting over-the-counter medicine to people under 18.
Meta’s Advertising Standards describe over-the-counter medicine as medicine that can be purchased or obtained without a prescription, including but not limited to various topical or ingestible common medications, such as anti-inflammatories, allergy medication, antiseptics or certain antibiotic medicines. Meta’s unsafe-substances rule also applies, so check your catalogue against the Drugs and Pharmaceuticals policy.
What does a rejected prescription drug ad look like?
Meta’s violating example is the ad text “Buy alprazolam today and get it shipped to your door within 3 days.” Meta says it does not allow you to sell prescription drugs, and that to share information you need to follow the prescription drugs policy.
FAQ
Can I advertise prescription medicine in the UK or India?
Meta’s prescription drugs help article says authorized advertisers may only target people in eligible countries, the United States, Canada or New Zealand, and only in countries where they are certified. Other countries are not on that list, so check the page before you plan a campaign.
Does a pharmacy need authorization for an ad about flu medicine?
Meta separates over-the-counter medicine from prescription drugs. For over-the-counter medicine, its policy requires compliance with local law and industry codes and no targeting under 18. Meta describes over-the-counter medicine as medicine that can be purchased or obtained without a prescription; ask a qualified adviser how that applies to your product.
Can a telehealth service advertise without authorization?
Meta says advertisers do not need authorization for ads that only promote telehealth services generally. Telehealth providers who promote prescription drugs need authorization, and Meta requires them to be actively certified with LegitScript before applying.
Sources
- About Meta's prescription drugs advertising policy (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
- Drugs and Pharmaceuticals (Advertising Standards) (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
- About Meta's Drugs and Pharmaceuticals advertising policy (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
Drafted with AI and checked claim by claim against the pages linked under Sources. Found a mistake? Tell us via the corrections policy.