Google is adding the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) Healthcare Merchant Accreditation Program as a telemedicine certification option in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. In a Healthcare and medicines policy notice posted on November 4, 2026, Google said the country-specific sections will be updated in November 2026.
Google’s healthcare advertising rules restrict ads for services related to the online prescribing, dispensing and sale of prescription drugs. The company’s prescription drug services policy says affected advertisers include online pharmacies and telemedicine providers, and that advertisers must be certified by Google to serve ads for prescription drug services.
Until now, Google’s policy language for telemedicine has leaned heavily on LegitScript certification in many markets. Google said NABP accreditation will be an additional option, not a replacement for existing certification options.
The update is narrower than it may sound
This is not a broad opening for all healthcare advertisers. Google’s wider Healthcare and medicines policy still varies by country, product type and advertiser category. The company also says certification requirements vary by location, and advertisers need to check the location-specific restrictions for every place where they plan to advertise.
Google’s prescription drug services policy says the company may assess an advertiser based on ads, websites, apps, products and services. It also says Google errs on the side of caution for landing pages that appear to facilitate online prescription, dispensation or sale of medicines.
NABP accreditation adds a compliance layer
NABP describes Healthcare Merchant Accreditation as an accreditation program for healthcare and healthcare-adjacent business models. Its telemedicine provider page says the program is meant to show that a telemedicine business operates in compliance with NABP’s program standards, including applicable laws.
For telemedicine companies, NABP says its review includes compliance with laws covering permitted telemedicine modalities and licensure requirements. Its published requirements also say applicants must demonstrate licensure in good standing and compliance with laws in the jurisdiction where they are based and in jurisdictions where they offer to conduct business.
That makes the new Google route more than a form submission. A telemedicine advertiser considering the NABP path will need to look at licensing, site transparency, privacy, legal compliance, affiliate relationships and fulfillment partners before the Google Ads application stage.
What advertisers should check before applying
Healthcare advertisers affected by the update should treat the Google notice as a planning signal rather than an automatic approval path. The policy notice says advertisers will be able to apply for Google certification once the policy is published, but they must be NABP-accredited before applying to Google.
Before starting that process, advertisers should verify whether their campaigns actually fall under Google’s telemedicine or prescription drug services policies, which country rules apply, and whether the website or landing page includes prescription drug services language that may trigger certification requirements.
Agencies should also confirm whether they are applying on behalf of the advertiser or licence holder. Google’s application guidance says agencies applying on behalf of an advertiser need to provide documentation describing that relationship.
I can suggest related Tech Help Canada articles based on the topic you’re reading now.
Tech Help Canada Staff researches, writes, and reviews practical content for business owners and professionals. Our coverage spans business, marketing, SEO, technology, and the tools and systems people use to grow and operate online. We focus on clear, useful information backed by research, hands-on experience, and editorial review. Learn more about our team and editorial standards. Need help with something? Contact Us
