Our policy aims to make sure that listings meet strict health and safety regulations.
What is the policy?
- Private sellers are not allowed to sell medicine
- General Sales List (GSL) medicines:
- Most medicines are defined by Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) - opens in new window or tab as not requiring a prescription from, or supervision of, a licensed practitioner to dispense
- Only business sellers are allowed to sell GSL medicines provided they meet the below conditions:
- They are delivered to the buyer prior to its expiration date
- The packaging is intact
- The item has not been tampered with
- The item has been stored safely prior to shipment
- The listing includes the ingredients, how to use the product, side effects/hazards/cautions, use-by date and storage instructions
- The products are classified as GSL and have obtained the relevant marketing authorisation for sale in the UK
- Food for special medical purposes may be sold, provided warning labelling remains intact and the item complies with appropriate local laws and regulations
- Herbal, holistic, or drug-like remedies can't imply any non-government-approved treatments, or be compared to any prescription drug
- It is not allowed to claim any health benefits from legal substances that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) hasn't approved
- Vitamins and supplements must be in new, unused condition and in the original, unopened and undamaged packaging. They must not be expired, with the expiration date entered in the item specifics
- All required labelling information must be in English
- Injectable substances, including vitamins, and regardless of whether they’re available over the counter, aren't allowed
- Dental products with hydrogen peroxide over 0.1% aren't allowed
- Pharmacy medicines:
- Prescription drugs and products with prescription ingredients are prohibited
- Only pharmacists that have been approved by eBay - opens in new window or tab can offer pharmacy medicines if they meet the following requirements:
- Register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
- Display the pharmacy logo related to their GPhC registration in the item description
- List in the dedicated category Pharmacy Medicines
- Offer only domestic shipping and occupy business premises in the United Kingdom
- Sell medicine only in its original packaging
- No personal health information can be communicated via eBay messaging. For more information, visit our Member-to-member contact policy
- Pharmacists must arrange contact with the buyers by telephone when it is necessary to do so
- Veterinary medicines classified as AMV-GSL, or NFA-VPS by the VMD (Veterinary Medicines Directorate) - opens in new window or tabmay be sold, however, any medication product listed below is not allowed:
- Does not have a marketing authorisation for sale in the UK or Ireland
- Requires a prescription
- Repackaged over-the-counter medications, including flea and tick medications
- Any Frontline flea control products
- Sentinel, Revolution, Heartgard, and Interceptor heartworm medicines
Activity on eBay is required to follow this policy, the eBay User Agreement and all applicable laws, as well as respect the rights of third parties. If it doesn’t, eBay may take action consistent with applicable laws and the eBay User Agreement, and may even be legally required to do so. Such actions may include, as an example only: Removing the listing or other content, issuing a warning, restricting activity or account suspension.
Tip
Visit Seller Help - opens in new window or tab to find details of any policy issues with your account or listings, and get the information you need to quickly resolve them.
Why does eBay have this policy?
We don't allow the listing of prescription drugs, and restrict the listing of other drugs, to protect the safety of our members, and to follow government regulations.
Helpful links
MHRA's contact details are:
- Email: pcl@mhra.gsi.gov.uk
- Tel: 020 3080 6844
For more information on products making false health claims, see the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations (CPRS) - opens in new window or tab, specifically Banned practice 17.