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 had 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 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 final and not subject to appeal (Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt am Main, Judgment of May 15, 2025, Case No. 6 U 347/24).