Advertiser Requirements
Advertisers must hold all necessary approvals for their products or services in the jurisdiction in which they operate. Advertisers must maintain such approvals for as long as their ads are live on Netflix.
Netflix pre-approval is required for certain healthcare advertisers, products, and services. For approval, please submit the form here . See the country-specific guidance below for additional details.
Healthcare ads include:
Over the Counter (OTC) Medicine and Supplements
Pharmacies and Healthcare Providers
Prescription Pharmaceuticals, Devices and Procedures (in permitted jurisdictions)
Ad Requirements
Netflix prohibits advertisements for the following categories:
Virus test kits, therapies, and related products (allowed as exceptions: Covid and RSV test kits)
Drug Tests, Drug Overdose Reversal, Substance Addiction Treatments, Smoking Cessation
Healthcare Aggregators
Opioid based painkillers
Supplements promoting weight loss
Ingestible or topical CBD products
Harmful or banned supplements, e.g., steroid supplements
Clinical trials and experimental treatments and therapies
Infant Feeding
Healthcare ads must :
Advise consumers to follow label directions (“used as directed”).
Comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, including those related to product claim ads, reminder ads, and help-seeking ads in permitted jurisdictions.
Only promote healthcare products approved by local regulatory authorities.
Ads may only promote the treatment of the condition for which it was approved.
Only promote occasional use of OTC medicines and treatment of minor to moderate conditions, and not serious conditions.
Only make clinically documented claims, whether direct or indirect, related to OTC and prescription drugs.
Indicate an adequate time lapse when depicting before and after product-use, should the product not provide immediate relief.
Only make health and safety claims supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence (e.g., clinical studies, appropriate consumer testing). Claims and demonstrations must be consistent with product directions. Netflix may request relevant data (e.g., adequate substantiation regarding product efficacy, safety, and claims).
Healthcare ads must not :
Include overly graphic audio descriptions or visual depictions of health conditions, or overly focus on specific body parts or health conditions, e.g.,
Surgery procedures that show blood, guts, gore, bodily fluids, or tooth decay
Emphasizing body parts (for example, zooming in on belly fat)
Showing bodily symptoms (for example, fluids or rashes)
Present false, misleading, or deceptive product claims, demonstrations, and depictions. Health and safety claims must be supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence (e.g., clinical studies, appropriate consumer testing).
Overstate the symptoms for which the product is indicated or dramatize distressing symptoms associated with specific illnesses or diseases.
Use words such as “safe,” without risk” or “harmless” without adequate qualification and support.
Imply that use of the advertised drug is a replacement for regular doctors’ visits.
Promote off-label uses.
Depict product ingestion.
Be directed towards children or include children (12 and under) in commercials promoting a product for adult use. (Children may appear in ads for drugs that are intended for children provided that adult/parental supervision is established)
Ask for any input of sensitive health data or target based on certain inferences about a condition.
Depict doctors, dentists, nurses or other health-related professionals (or actors portraying them) if the ads include health or medical claims.
OTC healthcare products may not suggest their use in treatment of serious health conditions or offer a cure for a medical condition.
Where prescription pharmaceuticals ads are not permitted, pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmacies and online pharmacies, telemedicine and hospitals ads may not feature prescription drugs in the ad creative or landing page.
Country Requirements
Australia
Permitted Healthcare content: Feminine Hygiene; Pharmaceutical manufacturers promoting OTC medicines; Pharmacies and Online Pharmacies; Telemedicine; Hospitals; Medical devices.
Netflix pre-approval is required for healthcare advertisers, products, and services. For approval, please submit the form here .
All healthcare products must be registered in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) . The ad must include relevant health warnings, any mandatory statements prescribed by law, and be consistent with the scope of regulatory approval.
Ads may not promote prescription medicine.
Pharmacies must be registered with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Medicare Australia, Australian Digital Health Agency, or one of the state-level pharmacy boards in Australia.
Advertising health services in Australia must adhere to advertising requirements in the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law.
Brazil
Permitted Healthcare content: Feminine Hygiene; Pharmaceutical manufacturers promoting OTC medicines; Pharmacies and Online Pharmacies; Telemedicine; Hospitals; Prescription Eyewear, Hearing Aids and Dental Aligners; Health PSAs
Netflix pre-approval is required for healthcare advertisers, products, and services. For approval, please submit the form here .
Health care products (including dietary supplements and OTC medicines), pharmacies, online pharmacies and telemedicine providers must be registered with the Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA) . Approved advertisers must comply with all ANVISA and other applicable requirements.
Online pharmacies and Telemedicine ads are allowed only if the provider also runs a physical establishment.
Ads may not promote prescription medicine.
Canada
Permitted Healthcare content:
Feminine Hygiene; Pharmaceutical manufacturers promoting OTC medicines
Pharmacies and Online Pharmacies; Telemedicine; Hospitals
Prescription pharmaceuticals, medical devices (including eyewear and dental aligners), and procedures
Netflix pre-approval is required for Online Pharmacies and Telemedicine Providers. For approval, please submit the form here .
Online Pharmacies and Telemedicine Providers must be accredited by one of the organizations listed below:
Ads for OTC drugs should clearly communicate the intended use of the product in a manner consistent with its Terms of Market Authorization (i.e., the product’s claims authorized by Health Canada).
Advertising must comply with The Food and Drugs Act (Canada) and its regulations for Rx drugs. Rx drugs must be approved for sale by Health Canada before running an advertisement.
Reminder Ads are permitted but may not contain therapeutic claims.
Help-Seeking Ads may be permitted, provided that such ads do not mention a specific drug or drug manufacturer and there can be no indication that a single drug is the sole treatment available for the described disease or condition.
Product Claim Ads are not permitted.
Ads for Rx drugs may not portray themselves as a treatment, preventative, or cure for diseases, disorders, or abnormal physical states referred to in Schedule A.1 of the FDA.
Additional Requirements for Medical Device Advertising in Canada
Medical devices are classified in Canada according to Health Canada’s risk-based system. There are four device classifications, with increasing levels of potential risk—Class I, II, III, and IV. Class I devices do not require a license; whereas, Class II, III, and IV devices require a medical device license (MDL) issued by Health Canada to be sold in Canada.
Class II, III, and IV devices are authorized by Health Canada for specific indications and they must be advertised within the scope of their authorized indications, similar to OTC drugs (i.e., must be advertised within the scope of the TMA authorized by Health Canada).
Medical devices cannot be advertised to the general public as a treatment for any serious disease referred to in Schedule A.1 of the FDA.
Comparative advertising of therapeutic claims for medical devices must be based on adequate and proper testing, and advertisements should present accurate, objective, and balanced information on the benefits and risk of the device.
France
Permitted Healthcare content: Feminine Hygiene; Pharmaceutical manufacturers promoting OTC medicines; Prescription Eyewear, Hearing Aids
Netflix pre-approval is required for OTC, Prescription Eyewear, Hearing Aids here .
Prescription Eyewear, Hearing Aids and Dental Aligners are required to show the CE Mark.
Ads must include:
The name of the drug and its common name
Reference to a pharmacist's advice; visa number;
Invitation to read the instructions carefully and consult a doctor if symptoms persist
Additional caution disclaimers if applicable, e.g., age limitation, pregnancy, possible drug interaction, composition).
Ads may not promote prescription medicine.
Brand ads by pharmaceutical companies are allowed, provided that they do not promote medicines or treatments and that they don’t offer premiums or material advantages unless they are of negligible value. Ads must solely provide scientific, technical, or financial information.
Advertising for prescription or refundable vaccines and vaccine campaigns by pharmaceutical companies is authorized but must comply with specific restrictions:
Germany
Permitted Healthcare content: Feminine Hygiene; Pharmaceutical manufacturers promoting OTC medicines; Pharmacies and Online Pharmacies; Telemedicine; Hospitals and clinics; Prescription Eyewear and Dental Aligners.
Netflix pre-approval is required for healthcare advertisers, products, and services. For approval, please submit the form here .
All health care products must be authorized by the Ministry of Health or other relevant supervisory authority.
Pharmacies must have a valid license.
Online, mail order, and online medicine retailers must be registered by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) .
Medical devices such as prescription eyewear and dental aligners must be compliant with all regulations, including the CE Mark.
Pharmacies must have a valid license. Online and mail order pharmacies and online medicine retailers must be registered by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) .
Ads may not promote prescription medicine.
Italy
Permitted Healthcare content: Feminine Hygiene; Pharmaceutical manufacturers promoting OTC medicines; Pharmacies and Online Pharmacies; Telemedicine; Hospitals;
Netflix pre-approval is required for healthcare advertisers, products, and services. For approval, please submit the form here .
Ministero della Salute (MOH) license required for OTC medicines and the ad must include a reference to the authorization. CE Mark and MOH pre-authorization required for Prescription Eyewear and Dental Aligners. Ads may not promote prescription medicine. Brand ads from pharmaceutical companies may not display any drugs or medicine in breach of the relevant rules for that type of drug or medicine and may not be presented in a way that could be capable of influencing in any manner the choice of the end user.
Ads for healthcare facilities, clinics and telemedicine may only contain information concerning the Director of the facility, their titles and qualifications, the service offered and possibly its maximum cost, which should be objective and transparent. The inclusion of any element or information that may be attractive for the end user (e.g., communications on discounts, promotions or the like, that may influence the freedom of choice) is expressly prohibited.
Ads for dietary supplements may not attribute to the product any feature or property allegedly capable of healing any type of illness. These ads also have to display a disclaimer affirming that a varied and balanced diet is sufficient to supply the required nutritional substances.
Japan
Permitted Healthcare content: Feminine Hygiene; Pharmaceutical manufacturers promoting OTC medicines; Pharmacies and Online Pharmacies; Telemedicine; Hospitals and clinics; Prescription Eyewear, Hearing Aids and Dental Aligners .
Netflix pre-approval is required for healthcare advertisers, products, and services. For approval, please submit the form here .
Advertisers for all healthcare products, including OTC drugs, to have a valid license number and comply with all Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare guidelines (MHLW) , which prohibits the following on ads: (i) superlative expressions on effect, efficacy, or safety of the drugs; (ii) excessive prize and gifts or provision of drugs as gifts; (iii) statement to encourage consumer’s use of drugs for cosmetic use or use as food; (iv) descriptions beyond the approved scope, etc.
Online pharmacies must have a valid license for marketing authorization holders. Advertising prescription drugs, prescription collection and delivery services is not permitted.
Korea
Permitted Healthcare content: Feminine Hygiene; Pharmaceutical manufacturers promoting OTC medicines; Pharmacies and Online Pharmacies; Telemedicine; Hospitals; Prescription Eyewear, Hearing Aids and Dental Aligners; Health PSAs .
Netflix pre-approval is required for healthcare advertisers, products, and services. For approval, please submit the form here .
All healthcare products including OTC drugs require the advertiser to have a valid Korean Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association (KPBMA) license. Medical Device advertisers may also provide the business registration issued by the city or district where the business is located. Medical Devices advertisers for the devices outlined above must provide an approval
seal by the ads review committee of the Korea Medical Devices Industry Association or Korea Medical Devices Industrial Cooperative. Advertisements for OTC drugs have to be pre-reviewed by authorized regulatory institutions (i.e KPBMA).
Brand ads and Health PSAs may not include any details or effectiveness of a specific drug or medical device within the ad.
OTC drugs are not permitted if the primary ingredients, administration method, and dosage is identical to a prescription drug. Ads may not promote prescription medicine.
Mexico
Permitted Healthcare content: Feminine Hygiene; Pharmaceutical manufacturers promoting OTC medicines; Pharmacies and Online Pharmacies; Telemedicine; Hospitals; Prescription Eyewear, Hearing Aids and Dental Aligners; Health PSAs .
Netflix pre-approval is required for healthcare advertisers, products, and services. For approval, please submit the form here .
All health care products (including dietary supplements and OTC medicines) must be authorized by the Federal Committee for Protection from Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS ). Necessary disclaimers, including precautionary notices that COFEPRIS may determine based on the potential health risks (e.g., “consult your physician”, “this product has not been scientifically proven to have preventive or curative properties,” etc.), must be included.
Online pharmacies must be registered with COFEPRIS. Ads may not promote prescription drugs.
Advertisers promoting brand advertising and health PSAs must have an advertising permit and registration with COFEPRIS.
Spain
Permitted Healthcare content: Feminine Hygiene; Pharmaceutical manufacturers promoting OTC medicines; Pharmacies and Online Pharmacies; Telemedicine; Hospitals; Prescription Eyewear , Hearing Aids
Netflix pre-approval is required for healthcare advertisers, products, and services. For approval, please submit the form here .
All health care products (including dietary supplements and OTC medicines) must be authorized by the relevant regulatory authority, e.g., Ministerio De Sanidad (AEMPS) , Agencia Española de Seguridad alimentaria y nutrición (AESAN ).
Ads must include:
Clear identification that the product is an OTC drug
Relevant recommendations as determined by the Ministry of Health
A description of the drug
Information required to ensure the drug is taken responsibly
An express and clearly visible invitation to carefully read the instructions contained in the package leaflet
The Spanish equivalent of the words: "If in doubt, consult your pharmacist" or a similar expression
For OTC medicines ads: subtitling and interpretation in sign language and audio description is required by legal mandate
Ads may not promote prescription drugs. Brand advertising by pharmaceutical companies that do not specifically mention a particular drug is permitted as long as it avoids any association with the direct or indirect promotion of prescription-only medicines or products.
United Kingdom
Permitted Healthcare content: Feminine Hygiene; Pharmaceutical manufacturers promoting OTC medicines; Pharmacies and Online Pharmacies; Telemedicine; Hospitals; Prescription Eyewear and Dental Aligners.
Netflix pre-approval is required for all healthcare advertisers, products, and services. For approval, please submit the form here .
All health care products (including dietary supplements and OTC medicines) must be authorized by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) (for Great Britain) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA) (for Northern Ireland).
Online pharmacies must be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council . Ads may not promote prescription drugs.
Providers of prescription eyeglasses must be registered with the General Optical Council . Medical devices such as prescription eyewear and dental aligners must be compliant with all Medical Device Regulations, including the CE/ UKCA Mark.
A drug can only be advertised in a territory where it is licensed. To advertise UK-wide, the product(s) must be covered by licenses in Great Britain and in Northern Ireland.
Ads must include:
The name of the product
The active ingredient (and its common name), if there is only one
Information for correct use of the product
An express invitation to read the instructions carefully
Comparative claims against other drugs are prohibited, but category claims are allowed if supported by evidence.
United States
Permitted Healthcare content:
Feminine Hygiene; Pharmaceutical manufacturers promoting OTC medicines
Pharmacies and Online Pharmacies; Telemedicine; Hospitals
Prescription pharmaceuticals, medical devices (including eyewear and dental aligners), and procedures
Netflix pre-approval is required for all Online Pharmacies, Telemedicine Providers, Prescription and OTC drugs. For approval, please submit the form here .
Online Pharmacies and Telemedicine Providers must be accredited by one of the organizations listed below:
Pharmaceutical manufacturers promoting OTC and prescription medicine must be approved by the FDA .
Ads must not feature the product as misbranded, mislabeled or adulterated within the meaning of any state’s food and drug law, the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, or any other law or regulation, including any industry-specific laws.
For Prescription Drugs:
Advertising must comply with FTC and/or FDA regulations for prescription drugs
Prescription ads must advise consumers to consult a healthcare professional (e.g., “call your doctor”)
Prescription ads must make clear that the drug is available by prescription only
Ad creative must comply with the FDA’s direct-to-consumer guidelines (e.g., contain a “fair balance” between benefit and risk information)
If a drug has an associated REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy), then the advertiser represents that it is being followed
Product Claim Ads must include certain key components within the main part of the ad:
The name of the drug (brand and generic), at least one FDA-approved use for the drug and the most significant risks of the drug
The drug's most important risks presented in the audio AND either all the risks listed in the drug's prescribing information or a variety of sources for viewers to find the prescribing information for the drug (e.g., a healthcare provider, toll-free telephone number, and/or a website address)
Reminder Ads: give the name of a drug, but not the drug's uses
Unlike product claim ads, reminder ads cannot suggest, in either words or pictures, anything about the drug's benefits or risks
They do not need to contain risk information about the drug because the ad does not say what the drug does or how well it works
Reminder ads are not allowed for certain prescription drugs with serious risks
Help-Seeking Ads: describe a disease or condition but do not recommend or suggest a specific drug treatment
High Fat, Sugar, Salt Food and Beverages
Ad Requirements
HFSS ads must :
HFSS ads must not :
Target or appeal to minors through messaging, artwork, promotions, prizes, creative, or other means.
Misleadingly, deceptively, or dishonestly represent the product. All claims regarding health and nutrition must be substantiated.
Undermine the importance of a healthy or active lifestyle and balanced diet.
Suggest failure to consume the product will result in detriment to one’s social status, public perception, or relationships.
Use healthcare professional or patient testimonials to promote the product.
Use language encouraging immediate purchase or consumption, including “Buy Now.”
Country Requirements
Brazil
France
For processed food and drinks, or food and drinks containing added fats, sweeteners and/or salt, must be accompanied by a message on the principles of dietary education, from the National Institute of Health Education, including:
'For your health, eat at least five fruits and vegetables a day.'
'For your health, exercise regularly.'
‘For your health, avoid eating too many foods that are high in fat, sugar or salt.’
'For your health, avoid snacking between meals.'
Italy
Ad must provide nutrition and health claims for the food items promoted, in compliance with EU Regulation No. 1924/2006.
Mexico
HFSS advertisers must comply with Food and Beverage regulations (e.g., prohibitions of any link to alcoholic beverages, prohibition to promote unhealthy habits, and a notice to the Health Ministry would be needed for the ad).
Spain
Ads may not:
Provide healthcare professional’s or patient’s testimonials to promote product’s consumption.
Promote food products with the aim of replacing regular nutrition regimes, in particular regarding maternity, lactation and old age.
Include references to the fact that the food product is used in healthcare centers or distributed through pharmacies.
United Kingdom
HFSS advertisers must comply with the CAP Code , e.g., ads can't use promotions, licensed characters or popular celebrities with children.
Housing, Lending, and Employment
Advertiser requirements
Netflix prohibits the discriminatory use of its ad platform and targeting tools.
In support of fair access to offers of housing, lending or credit, and employment, related ads are subject to restricted access to targeting features. Please see the Ads Targeting and Personalized Advertising Policy for additional details.
Housing Opportunities
Any ad referencing, promoting, or directly linking to:
Offers of housing or residence (apartments, homes, condominiums, etc) for rent, purchase, or lease