Google Ads Policy Guide on Pharmaceuticals and Supplements (2025 Update)

Navigating the healthcare advertising space on Google Ads is challenging, especially with the strict restrictions placed on unapproved pharmaceuticals and supplements. Whether you’re promoting wellness products, weight loss supplements, or CBD oils, understanding these rules is critical to keep your campaigns compliant—and live.

This guide breaks down:

• What types of health and supplement products are banned
• Why Google enforces these policies
• How to fix ads disapproved for policy violations
• How to appeal a decision if your ad was rejected in error

Why Google Ads Restricts Healthcare and Supplement Products

Google prioritizes consumer safety by disallowing ads that:

• Feature unapproved drugs or supplements
• Make medical claims without proof
• Mimic prescription medications
• Include dangerous or undisclosed ingredients
• Violate local health regulations

This includes both the ad content and the landing page it links to.

Banned Products in Google Ads

Here are categories of commonly prohibited items and some specific examples:

🔴 Weight Loss Supplements

• Fruta Planta
• Slim Forte
• HCG Diet Drops
• Lida Daidaihua

🔴 Cognitive Enhancers / Nootropics

• Picamilon
• DMAA-containing products (e.g., Jack3d, Mr. Hyde)
• Herbal Xanax
• Lumonol

🔴 Sexual Enhancement Pills

• Herbal Viagra
• Erexxx
• Red Hot Sex
• Topviril

🔴 Anabolic and Muscle-Growth Supplements

• M-Drol
• Tren Xtreme
• Superdrol
• Halodrol Liquidgels

🔴 Unapproved Disease “Cures”

• Freedom from Diabetes Kit
• Deliverance from Herpes Kit
• Epilepsy Essentials-Kit

View Google’s full list of unapproved pharmaceuticals and supplements here.

Google’s Policy on Healthcare and Unapproved Substances

In addition to banning specific products, Google enforces a broader policy against:

• Products that claim to prevent, cure, or treat diseases without government approval
• Supplements with pharmaceutical-like ingredients (e.g., ephedra, DHEA, melatonin outside the U.S./Canada)
• Non-certified CBD or cannabis-derived products
• Imitation or misleading brand names that resemble real drugs

Google’s full Healthcare and Medicines policy is available here.

✅ How to Fix Google Ads Disapproved for Policy Violations

If your ad has been flagged due to this policy, here’s how you can edit and resubmit your ad:

1. Edit Your Ad to Comply

• Only promote products and services that are allowed in the target location
• Ensure you are certified, if required (especially for CBD or pharmaceuticals)
• Use a landing page that doesn’t make unapproved claims or promote restricted substances

Steps to Edit in Google Ads:

1. Sign into your Google Ads account
2. Click the Campaigns icon
3. In the left-hand menu, select Ads
4. Hover over the affected ad and click Edit
5. Modify the ad text, image, or destination to comply with policy
6. Click Save

Your ad will be automatically resubmitted for review. You can monitor its status on the “Ads & assets” page.

Learn more about how to fix ads with policy violations

🚨 How to Appeal a Disapproved Ad (If You Think It’s a Mistake)

If your product and landing page are compliant—or if you’ve made necessary fixes—you can request a manual review:

Steps to Appeal a Google Ads Policy Decision:

1. Go to your Google Ads account
2. Navigate to the disapproved ad
3. Click the “Appeal” option
4. Choose whether to appeal based on:
   • A mistake in the disapproval
   • Corrected issues
5. Submit your request and wait for a decision

⚠️ If you can’t fix the violation, it’s best to remove the ad to avoid repeat offenses that could lead to account suspension.

Conclusion: Play It Safe, Advertise Smarter

Google Ads offers incredible reach, but it comes with strict accountability—especially when it comes to healthcare and supplements. If you’re promoting products in this category, always ensure:

• Your product is legal, approved, and safe
• Your landing page avoids misleading or medical claims
• You’re certified when required, especially for CBD or pharmaceuticals

Stay updated on policies, use LegitScript for verification, and when in doubt, err on the side of compliance.

✉️ Need help reviewing your supplements or ad content for Google compliance?

We offer expert audits and policy-compliant marketing guidance for supplement brands, agencies, and eCommerce advertisers.

Let us help you advertise safely and successfully on Google Ads.