Over-the-counter medication

Select over-the-counter medication can be fulfilled through Instacart Connect in select markets and for select retailers, provided the medication does not contain a prohibited controlled substance, and is not pseudoephedrine or ephedrine, which Instacart does not currently deliver in the United States. The requirements on this page may also apply to age-restricted over-the-counter products, such as dextromethorphan (DXM) products, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and, in some regions, diet pills and weight-loss or muscle-building supplements. When an order contains over-the-counter medication, including age-restricted medication, the request must contain the customer's date of birth and not exceed the maximum quantity.

Details used for the compliance check

The following details are used in the compliance check:

• Customer date of birth. The customer must be 18 years or older, unless a different minimum age applies in the customer's region.
• Quantity. The order can contain up to 5 units of over-the-counter medication.
• Permitted for sale in the Instacart catalog. If a product is on the prohibited list, it is not permitted.

For delivery and pickup orders, Instacart is sent the list of items and the customer's date of birth. Instacart runs the compliance check.

info

Over-the-counter medication is not supported for last mile delivery orders.

Instacart Connect requests and compliance

The following types of requests trigger the compliance check:

Request	Delivery	Pickup
List time slots for delivery	❌	❌
Reserve a time slot	❌	❌
Create an order	✅	✅
Update an order	✅	✅

If the check fails for any reason, the request returns an error message that identifies the issue.

Instacart policy for over-the-counter medication delivery

Instacart requires that shoppers and customers adhere to the following rules for orders containing over-the-counter medication:

• Someone of legal age with a valid ID must be present to receive the order. Age-restricted over-the-counter medication cannot be left unattended.
• The person receiving the order must show a valid (unexpired), government-issued photo ID that shows their date of birth and matches the person at the door to prove that they are 18 years of age or older. Acceptable IDs are a state ID or driver's license, a U.S. or foreign passport, a U.S. military ID, and a permanent resident card (acceptance may vary by state). Shoppers verify the ID by scanning it or entering the details manually. In some states, such as New York, a signature is also required at delivery. Under no circumstances is age-restricted medication handed over unless, and until, the recipient's age has been verified and the recipient matches on the photo of their ID.
• An underage person cannot accept the order on behalf of the customer. A person who is of age can accept the order. The person receiving the order does not need to be the person who placed it.
• If delivery can't be completed (no one of legal age is available, no valid ID is provided, the ID doesn't match the recipient, underage recipient, a suspected proxy purchase for a minor, or the ID can't be scanned or entered manually), the medication is returned to the store where it was purchased.

Customer checkout best practices

Consider telling your customers about the Instacart policy for over-the-counter medication delivery. While Instacart does not require you to add this information, the customer experience is better if the customer knows what to expect.

Suggested Language "Hi Andrea, it looks like you have age-restricted over-the-counter medication in your cart. Please have your valid, government-issued photo ID ready for age verification when your shopper arrives. Someone 18 or older must be present to receive the order, or it will be returned to the store. Please note that your shopper is unable to leave medication unattended or to deliver it to an individual who is underage."

Ensure your site can handle the following possible scenarios:

• The quantity of medication exceeds the maximum per order.
• The customer is underage.
• The medication is not permitted for sale or fulfillment.
• After an order is created, the medication is changed or additional medication is added to the order and the order is no longer compliant.
• The request is missing the customer's date of birth.
• The recipient fails ID or age verification at delivery, and the order is returned to the store.
• No one of legal age is available to receive the order, and the order is returned to the store.