Boost for Telemedicine and Online Pharmacies
Google has announced a significant policy update, recognising LegitScript’s healthcare merchant certification for pharmacies in India and telemedicine providers in New Zealand. Starting in April 2026, this change will allow certified providers to advertise on Google Ads, reaching a broader audience while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
“Our continued collaboration with Google helps ensure that certified providers in India and New Zealand can reach patients through trusted advertising platforms while maintaining transparency and good practices,” stated Angela Salter, VP of Enterprise Certification Sales at LegitScript. This partnership highlights the growing importance of compliant online healthcare services.
India’s online pharmacy sector is poised for substantial growth, with projections indicating it could surpass $14 billion by 2034. Increased smartphone usage, improved internet connectivity, and a rising demand for convenient, at-home healthcare solutions are driving this transformation in the region.
Meanwhile, telehealth services in New Zealand have experienced a remarkable 30% growth over the last five years. Approximately 1.2 million citizens now utilise these services, supported by the Medicines Amendment Act 2025, which introduced a streamlined ‘verification pathway’ for medicine approvals and expanded prescribing rights for nurse practitioners and pharmacists.
Certification Enhances Trust
LegitScript’s certification process involves a rigorous review of licensure, prescribing practices, patient privacy protections, and advertising transparency. By ensuring providers meet these standards, the certification enhances patient trust and aligns with current regulatory requirements. The demand for digital healthcare services continues to grow, making this certification crucial.
Starting in April, eligible businesses can apply for Google certification using LegitScript’s Healthcare Certification. This presents a valuable opportunity for India-based pharmacies and New Zealand-based telemedicine providers to expand their reach and engage with patients more effectively.
LegitScript’s Healthcare Certification is recognised within the approval process for conducting card-not-present transactions with major payment networks like Visa and Mastercard. It is a requirement for many online platforms, reinforcing its significance in the digital healthcare marketplace.
The partnership between Google and LegitScript represents a pivotal step in ensuring that online healthcare providers can operate transparently and responsibly. As digital healthcare continues to evolve, such frameworks are essential for sustainable growth, building credibility with regulators, the public, and third-party partners.
