Google Merchant Center: Unapproved pharmaceuticals and supplements · Healthcare and medicines · Unapproved substances
Google flagged a health product or supplement as not allowed
What Google's message means
The product, or an ingredient in it, is on Google's list of unapproved pharmaceuticals and supplements, or falls under the Healthcare and medicines policy (for example prescription drugs, which need certification).
Why it matters
The product can't show on Google. Promoting unauthorized pharmacies is one of the egregious violations that can suspend an account without warning.
Common causes on Shopify
- An ingredient is on Google's non-exhaustive list of unapproved substances.
- Descriptions claim the product treats, cures or prevents a disease.
- Prescription medicines listed without the required certification.
How to fix it
- 1Read the exact policy named in the issue and Google's list of unapproved substances. The list is non-exhaustive and also covers products with similar names or effects.
- 2If the product contains a listed ingredient, remove it from your Google feed. Removing it is the fix; a review won't change the outcome.
- 3Remove claims that the product treats, cures or prevents diseases, and any comparisons with prescription drugs.
- 4If you sell medicines legally, check the certification requirements for each country before listing them.
- 5If Google misread the product (for example a non-medical item with a health-sounding name), clarify the title, description and images, then request a review.
In Shopify: Use the Google & YouTube channel's product status page to exclude single products, and tidy ingredient lists in the product description so they match the label.
How to stop it coming back
- Check ingredients against Google's list before launching a supplement.
- Keep health claims out of titles and descriptions.
Common questions
- Will a review fix it?
- Not if the product really contains an unapproved substance. Removing it from your Google feed is the fix. Request a review only if Google misread the product.
Official help pages
Want to catch this before Google does?
FlagClear watches your Merchant Center every day, explains each issue in plain English and suggests Shopify fixes you approve first and can undo. We're opening store connections in stages: join free and your first scan runs as soon as your store can connect.
Join freeGoogle's wording and requirements change from time to time; always check the help link shown next to the issue in Merchant Center. FlagClear isn't affiliated with Google and can't guarantee review outcomes or reinstatement.