Healthcare product retail online covers a wide spectrum — from general wellness products (compression socks, posture supports) through Class I medical devices (blood pressure monitors, thermometers, TENS machines) to prescription-only products that cannot be sold online without specific authorisation. Before migrating to Shopify, understanding exactly which regulatory categories your products fall into is essential.

UK medical device classifications

General wellness products: Posture correctors, hot/cold packs, non-medical compression garments. Not classified as medical devices. No MHRA registration required. Standard consumer product rules apply.
Class I medical devices: Products with lower risk that interact with the body non-invasively. Examples: bandages, plasters, patient hoists (non-sterile), walking aids, wheelchairs, blood pressure monitors (some), reading glasses. MHRA registration required from July 2023.
Class IIa/IIb medical devices: Higher risk devices. Hearing aids (some), blood glucose monitors, contact lenses. Require notified body assessment and MHRA registration.
Class III medical devices: Highest risk (implants, pacemakers). Not typically sold D2C online.
IVD (In Vitro Diagnostics): Home test kits (pregnancy tests, glucose tests, COVID lateral flow). Separate MHRA IVD registration required.
Medicines / POMs: Prescription-only medicines cannot be sold online without a valid online pharmacy registration with the GPhC (General Pharmaceutical Council). Out of scope for standard Shopify stores.

MHRA registration and UKCA marking

Since UK MHRA registration requirements came into force (2023+), UK medical device manufacturers and authorised representatives must register devices. For online retailers selling medical devices:

You are typically a "distributor" — the manufacturer/authorised representative holds MHRA registration
Verify your suppliers hold valid MHRA registration for the devices you sell
UKCA marking (UK Conformity Assessed) replaces CE marking for UK-market medical devices. For a transitional period, CE marking remains accepted for most device classes — check current MHRA guidance as this deadline has been extended multiple times.

product.metafields.healthcare.device_class = "Class I / Class IIa / IVD"
product.metafields.healthcare.mhra_registered = "true"
product.metafields.healthcare.ukca_marked = "true"
product.metafields.healthcare.ce_marked = "true"
product.metafields.healthcare.medical_device_number = "MD-2024-12345"
product.metafields.healthcare.intended_use = "For home monitoring of blood pressure in adults"
product.metafields.healthcare.contraindications = "Not for use with pacemakers"
product.metafields.healthcare.prescription_required = "false"

Shopify's acceptable use policy for healthcare products

Shopify permits sale of medical devices and healthcare products where the merchant complies with applicable local laws. Shopify prohibits:

Sale of prescription drugs without appropriate authorisation
Products making unsubstantiated medical claims
Products that are outright prohibited in the merchant's jurisdiction

For grey-area products (devices making health claims, supplements with borderline medical claims), review Shopify's AUP and MHRA guidance before migration.

Mobility aids and assistive technology

Mobility aids (wheelchairs, walkers, rollators, stairlifts) have specific variant and specification requirements:

product.metafields.healthcare.user_weight_capacity_kg = "160"
product.metafields.healthcare.seat_width_cm = "45 / 50 / 55"
product.metafields.healthcare.folded_dimensions_cm = "70x30x90"
product.metafields.healthcare.frame_material = "Aluminium / Steel / Carbon fibre"
product.metafields.healthcare.self_propelled = "true"
product.metafields.healthcare.attendant_propelled = "false"
product.metafields.healthcare.nhs_supply_code = "BSHC-WC-001"   // if NHS-contracted

Wheelchairs and heavy mobility aids require freight delivery. Assign to a dedicated freight shipping profile with manual booking options for items requiring delivery and assembly.

TENS and electrotherapy devices

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) machines, EMS units, and similar electrotherapy devices are Class IIa medical devices in the UK:

Must carry UKCA/CE marking
Contraindication warnings (pacemaker users, pregnancy, specific conditions) must be visible on product pages — not just in the manual
Channel count, maximum frequency, and output specifications are key purchase specs

Post-migration checklist for healthcare stores

All medical devices reviewed against their MHRA device class before migration
Supplier MHRA registration verified for Class I+ devices
UKCA/CE marking status as metafield on all medical devices
Contraindications prominently displayed on product pages (not only in PDF manuals)
Prescription-required flag on any products that require clinical authorisation
Mobility aids: weight capacity and sizing metafields populated
Freight profile configured for large mobility equipment
Product descriptions reviewed for unsubstantiated medical claims
IVD home test kits: separate regulatory compliance reviewed

Migrating a medical devices and healthcare products store from WooCommerce to Shopify (2026)