The Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt am Main has ruled that a Dutch online pharmacy’s promotion of 10-euro vouchers is unlawful. The court announced on Wednesday that the campaign, which offered vouchers to customers upon submitting an e-prescription, violates Germany’s Medicines Act.
The pharmacy offered the vouchers for both the initial order placed through its app and for the redemption of e-prescriptions. The credit could partially be used to purchase over-the-counter medications. The court deemed this an inadmissible product-related advertisement, promoting the consumption of pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, the court stated that the value of the 10-euro vouchers exceeded the threshold of a “minor trifle” permitted under the relevant legislation in such instances.
The decision by the 6th Civil Senate of the Higher Regional Court confirms a previous ruling by the Frankfurt Local Court. The expedited decision is now legally binding. The ruling, dated May 15, 2025 (Case number: 6 U 347/24), has been finalized and cannot be appealed.
