Any substance or item that requires a prescription from, or the supervision of, a licensed practitioner (such as a doctor, dentist, optometrist, optician, pharmacist or veterinarian) to dispense isn’t allowed on eBay.
Some over-the-counter (OTC) products are allowed, as long as their listings neither mention nor compare them to prescription drugs. Worldwide shipping should not be offered on these items as it’s impossible to verify whether it is legal for sale in every country. Similarly, please understand that items authorised for sale in other countries aren’t necessarily authorised for sale in the United Kingdom.
Make sure your listing follows our guidelines. If it doesn't, it may be removed, and your buying and selling privileges could be restricted.
What are the guidelines?
Restricted
Most OTC products in a form the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) defines as not requiring a prescription from, or supervision of, a licensed practitioner, to dispense may be sold provided they meet the following 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.
Not Allowed
Prohibited items include but are not limited to:
Any medicinal product which does not have a marketing authorisation for sale in the UK or Ireland
Any substance in a form the MHRA defines as requiring a prescription from, or supervision of, a licensed practitioner. This includes both Prescription and Pharmacy Only substances including, but not limited to:
Allergy medicines
Components of prescription or over-the-counter drugs unless the sale of such components without a prescription has been approved by the MHRA
Contraceptives, including implantable devices
Food for special medical purposes
HIV testing kits
Injectable substances, including vitamins, and regardless of whether they're available over the counter
Insulin in all forms, including non-prescription
Prohormones
Pseudoephedrine in any form or combination
Synephrine
Repackaged over-the-counter medications
Services offering medical procedures e.g. services offering Botox. A complex set of regulations prohibit advertising to the general public which is likely to lead to the use of a prescription only medicine (POM). Please visit the MHRAwebsite for more information.
Allowed
Vitamins
Calling an herbal product by its common name without its scientific name (such as milk thistle for silybum marianum)
Restricted
Descriptions of herbal and holistic remedies and other items can't compare the products listed to prescription drugs, imply any non MHRA-approved treatments, or be marketed as having the same results.
Not Allowed
Prohibited items include, but are not limited to:
Jiu Bian Li
Muscletech NaNoX9 Hardcore tablets
TREN-Xtreme
MASS Xtreme
ESTRO Xtreme
AH-89-Xtreme
HMG Xtreme
MMA-3 Xtreme
VNS-9 Xtreme
TT-40-Xtreme
Products containing ephedra, ephedrine, or ma huang
Claiming or suggesting that muscle-building supplements have the same effect as steroids
Claiming that stamina products work like Viagra or other erectile dysfunction medications
Making a claim that an item can cure an ailment or a disease when the MHRA hasn't approved such claims
Restricted
Medical devices not requiring a prescription from or supervision of a licensed practitioner to dispense (for example, breast pumps) may be sold under the following conditions:
Sellers must clean and handle all medical devices in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions before shipping. Sellers may not list any medical device that has been altered in any way that significantly changes the product's performance or safety specifications.
Sellers must provide the buyer with the original box, labels and instructions that were provided by the manufacturer with the original product. Medical devices that do not come with the box, label(s) and a complete set of manufacturer's instructions may not be listed on eBay.
Sellers must clearly inform potential bidders, in the item description, if the device has been opened or used.
Prescription eyewear is not permitted but vintage eyeglasses sold for collectible purposes can be listed.
Tens machines, Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) units and their accessories unless they require a prescription or shipping outside the UK is offered.
Not Allowed
Prohibited items include, but are not limited to:
Medical products that reference avian bird flu or swine flu
Contact lenses (including 'zero powered' or cosmetic lenses)
CPAP machines, Bilevel Positive Airway (BiPAP) devices, and Variable Positive Airway Pressure (VPAP) devices and their accessories that require a prescription
Defibrillators
Implantable devices, such as pacemakers, heart valves, vascular grafts, ventricular bypass devices, and implantable fusion pumps
Pumps and ancillary items for the administration of enteral tube feeds
Unauthorised medical devices such as ear candles
Information on Veterinary products can be obtained from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). Their website is: http://www.vmd.gov.uk.
For similar information relating to Ireland, visit the Veterinary Medicines Section of the Irish Medicine Board's website http://www.imb.ie.
Restricted
Some flea control products (such as Program, Advantage, and Top Spot) can be sold but only if sealed in their original packaging.
Not Allowed
Prohibited items include, but are not limited to:
Any medicinal product which does not have a marketing authorisation for sale in the UK or Ireland
Any substance the VMD defines as requiring a prescription
Injectable substances, including vitamins, and regardless of whether they're available over the counter
Repackaged over-the-counter medications, including flea and tick medications
Frontline flea control products
Sentinel, Revolution, Heartgard and Interceptor heartworm medicines
Additional information
UK users can check out the MHRA's web page for advice on purchasing drugs online at: www.mhra.gov.uk.
For information on dental products, please look at the General Dental Council website, which can be found at : http://www.gdc-uk.org.
If you require advice on spectacles and contact lenses, you should contact The College of Optometrists. Further information can be obtained by accessing their website: http://www.college-optometrists.org.
For information on optical cleaning fluids, you should contact the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency at: http://www.mhra.gov.uk.
In Ireland, the Irish Medicines Board's website can be consulted: http://www.imb.ie.
Why does eBay have this policy?
eBay urges its buyers and sellers to comply with all government regulations. Since the sale of prescription drugs is prohibited by law, regulated, or may cause harm to eBay and its members, we don't allow sellers to list them.
Contact Customer Support
Report breaches of eBay policy or problems with another eBay member.