LegitScript and Google have expanded their advertising certification partnership to cover pharmacies in India and telemedicine providers in New Zealand. The change adds both markets to the list of countries where healthcare advertisers must meet certification requirements before using Google Ads.
Under the update, eligible businesses in both countries can apply for LegitScript Healthcare Certification and, once Google’s policy changes take effect, seek Google certification. The programme applies to India-based pharmacies and New Zealand-based telemedicine providers that want to advertise healthcare services through Google’s ad network.
The move extends a framework already used in the US, UK, Canada, France, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and South Africa. It comes as India and New Zealand expand digital healthcare services and revise rules around prescribing and access to medicines.
In India, the online pharmacy market is projected to exceed $14 billion by 2034, according to company-cited figures. In New Zealand, about 1.2 million people use telehealth services, up 30% over the past five years, according to the Ministry of Health figures cited by the company.
Policy changes have also reshaped the backdrop for providers. New Zealand’s Medicines Amendment Act 2025 introduced a verification pathway for medicine approvals and expanded prescribing rights for nurse practitioners and pharmacists, supporting the growth of remote care and online prescribing.
Certification Process
LegitScript’s healthcare certification process includes an independent review of provider and pharmacy licensure, prescribing practices, patient privacy protections and advertising transparency. These checks are designed to assess whether applicants meet compliance standards before advertising to patients online.
The arrangement reflects broader scrutiny of healthcare promotion on digital platforms, particularly in categories involving medicines, prescribing and patient data. Search, social media, marketplaces and payment companies increasingly rely on external compliance and monitoring systems in regulated sectors, where false or misleading claims can create legal and consumer risks.
LegitScript said its certification is recognised in approval processes for card-not-present transactions by Visa and Mastercard. Its monitoring and certification systems are also used by other online platforms, marketplaces and payment providers.
That gives the partnership significance beyond advertising alone, as healthcare businesses increasingly depend on several digital gatekeepers at once, including ad platforms, payment networks and online marketplaces. Certification can therefore affect not only marketing access but also how providers and pharmacies operate across the wider online economy.
Angela Salter, Vice President of Enterprise Certification Sales at LegitScript, said the expansion responds to growing regulatory complexity in healthcare advertising.
“Healthcare is a complex, rapidly evolving field, and providers need clear frameworks to demonstrate compliance, build credibility, and grow responsibly,” Salter said.
“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,” she added.
Market Growth
The company also pointed to rising demand for certification as telehealth expands internationally. Online consultations, remote prescribing and pharmacy delivery services grew rapidly in many markets during and after the pandemic, prompting regulators and platforms to tighten oversight to distinguish licensed operators from unauthorised sellers.
LegitScript executives said the trend has also been reflected in the company’s business. “For nearly 20 years, we’ve seen the demand for trusted healthcare certification grow as telehealth expands globally, and LegitScript has continually built our deep expertise in navigating complex regulatory environments,” said Jaylene Kunze, Chief Operating & Financial Officer.
“In the past year alone, LegitScript has seen a 103% increase in certified healthcare organizations. Our advanced technology, proprietary data, and human expertise combine to help platforms and providers from around the world navigate the latest healthcare regulations,” Kunze said.