Facebook Community Standards
Policies that outline what is and isn't allowed on the Facebook app.
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Policies that outline what is and isn't allowed on the Instagram app.
Meta Advertising Standards
Policies for ad content and business assets.
Other policies
Other policies that apply to Meta technologies.
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How we support communities in the face of the opioid epidemic.
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Community Standards Enforcement Report
Quarterly report on how well we're doing at enforcing our policies on the Facebook app and Instagram.
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Report on how well we're helping people protect their intellectual property.
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Report on government request for people's data.
Content Restrictions Based on Local Law
Report on when we restrict content that's reported to us as violating local law.
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Widely Viewed Content Report
Quarterly report on what people see on Facebook, including the content that receives the widest distribution during the quarter.
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Download current and past regulatory reports for Facebook and Instagram.
Prescription Drugs
Policy details
Change log
CHANGE LOG
Change log
Today
Current version
Prescription Drugs
Ads may not promote prescription drugs without prior written permission.
The following entities are eligible to apply for permission from Meta: online pharmacies, telehealth providers and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Advertisers can learn how to apply here.
Ads may only promote prescription drugs in the following jurisdictions: United States, New Zealand and Canada.
Ads promoting prescription drugs must not be targeted to people under 18 years of age.
We allow ads that promote prescription drugs in order to share information around medical efficacy, accessibility and affordability of different types of treatments. At the same time, we know that laws and regulations vary across regions when it comes to promoting these products.
To reduce risks to consumers, we require eligible advertisers promoting prescription drugs to provide evidence that their activities are appropriately licensed. Online pharmacies, telehealth providers, and pharmaceutical manufacturers must provide evidence that they are appropriately licensed or otherwise established as lawful in countries they want to target, and that they follow the applicable targeting guidelines, including only running ads in the countries in which they’re certified. Meta doesn’t allow targeting for prescription drugs to people under the age of 18.
Advertisers can check eligibility and request permission using this form.
Note: This policy governs only the promotion of prescription drugs. For more information about our policies prohibiting the sale of prescription drugs, see our Unsafe Substances policy. Meta prohibits the direct sale of prescription drugs across our technologies and partners with experts and industry groups to combat online illicit drug sales and opioid abuse.
Qualified advertisers with written permission from Meta can run ads that promote prescription drugs as long as they:
- Only target people in eligible countries (United States, Canada or New Zealand)
- Only target people in countries in which they are certified
- Only target people 18 years or older
Advertisers don’t need written permission to run ads that:
- Educate, advocate or give public service announcements related to prescription drugs
- Promote telehealth services generally
Advertisers can’t run ads that:
- Promote prescription drugs unless they have written permission from Meta; only target people in eligible countries (United States, Canada or New Zealand); only target people in countries in which they are certified; and only target people over the age of 18
For tips on how to comply with this policy, visit the Business Help Center.
ALLOWED
“Free delivery available with a valid prescription!”
NOT ALLOWED
“Buy Sildenafil now!”
“Get Viagra today for $5.99/per pill!”
“Get Sildenafil for $5.99/per pill vs $60.00/per pill for Viagra!”
“Click this link to get Viagra without a prescription!”
Enforcement
We have the same policies around the world, for everyone on Facebook.
Review teams
Our global team of over 15,000 reviewers work every day to keep people on Facebook safe.
Stakeholder engagement
Outside experts, academics, NGOs and policymakers help inform the Facebook Community Standards.
