Trademark Class 5: Pharmaceuticals & Medical | Complete Filing Guide
Everything you need to file a trademark in Class 5. Covers pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, medical supplies, and veterinary products.
Class 5 covers pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, dietary supplements, and sanitary preparations. Drug manufacturers, supplement brands, and medical supply companies file here.
What Class 5 Covers
Class 5 is the primary class for pharmaceutical and health-related products. It includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and medical supplies.
The class covers:
- Pharmaceuticals - Prescription and OTC drugs, vaccines
- Dietary supplements - Vitamins, minerals, protein supplements
- Medical supplies - Bandages, surgical dressings, medical adhesives
- Sanitary products - Disinfectants, feminine hygiene, diapers
- Veterinary products - Animal medicines and supplements
Included in Class 5
Pharmaceuticals:
- Prescription drugs
- Over-the-counter medicines
- Vaccines
- Antibiotics
- Pain relievers
- Cold and flu remedies
Dietary Supplements:
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Protein supplements
- Herbal supplements
- Nutritional supplements
- Probiotics
Medical Supplies:
- Bandages
- Surgical dressings
- Adhesive bandages
- Gauze
- Medical tape
- First aid supplies
Sanitary Products:
- Disinfectants
- Hand sanitizers
- Feminine hygiene products
- Adult diapers
- Baby diapers
- Pest control preparations
Veterinary:
- Veterinary medicines
- Pet supplements
- Flea and tick treatments
- Animal vitamins
NOT Included in Class 5
These similar items belong in other classes:
- Non-medicated skincare - Class 3 (Cosmetics & Personal Care)
- Medical devices and equipment - Class 10 (Medical Apparatus)
- Health foods - Class 29 or 30 (Foods)
- Fitness equipment - Class 28 (Toys & Sporting Goods)
- Medical services - Class 44 (Medical & Beauty Services)
Supplements vs. Drugs
Understanding the distinction between dietary supplements and drugs is critical for Class 5 filings.
Dietary Supplements (Class 5):
- Make structure/function claims (e.g., "supports immune health")
- Do not require FDA approval before marketing
- Must include required FDA disclaimer
- Cannot claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease
Drugs (Class 5):
- Make drug claims (e.g., "treats headache")
- Require FDA approval
- Subject to extensive regulation
- Can claim to treat specific conditions
Both are Class 5, but ensure your trademark claims align with your product's regulatory status.
Common Goods Descriptions
Using pre-approved descriptions from the USPTO Trademark ID Manual avoids the $200 custom description surcharge.
Popular pre-approved descriptions for Class 5:
- Pharmaceutical preparations
- Dietary supplements
- Vitamins
- Medical dressings
- Sanitary preparations
- Veterinary preparations
- Disinfectants
- Dietary supplements for [specific purpose]
Important: For supplements, specify the purpose or benefit. "Dietary supplements" alone may be accepted but is less protective than "dietary supplements for immune system support."
Well-Known Marks in Class 5
These recognizable brands are registered in Class 5:
- Pfizer - Pharmaceutical products
- Johnson & Johnson - Medical supplies and pharmaceuticals
- GNC - Dietary supplements
- Band-Aid - Adhesive bandages
- Centrum - Vitamins
- Frontline - Pet flea treatments
Filing Tips for Class 5
Be Specific About Health Claims
The USPTO will accept specific supplement descriptions:
- Good: "Dietary supplements for joint health"
- Good: "Vitamins in the nature of dietary supplements"
- Good: "Herbal supplements for energy"
- Bad: "Health products"
- Bad: "Supplements"
Consider Your Full Product Line
Health product companies often need multiple classes:
| What You Offer | Class |
|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals and supplements | Class 5 |
| Medical devices | Class 10 |
| Non-medicated skincare | Class 3 |
| Health food products | Class 29/30 |
| Health services | Class 44 |
Specimens for Pharmaceuticals
For Class 5 trademarks, acceptable specimens include:
- Product labels showing the mark
- Packaging with required FDA labeling
- Website pages where products are sold
- Pharmacy displays
Important: Prescription drug specimens may have additional requirements due to regulatory compliance.
Related Classes
If you are filing in Class 5, you may also need:
- Class 3: Cosmetics & Personal Care - Non-medicated cosmetics and skincare
- Class 10: Medical Apparatus - Medical devices and apparatus
- Class 29: Meats & Processed Foods - Dairy and protein foods
- Class 44: Medical & Beauty Services - Medical and health services
Filing Fees
Current USPTO fees for Class 5 trademark applications (2025):
| Filing Type | Fee per Class |
|---|---|
| Electronic filing (ID Manual description) | $350 |
| Electronic filing (custom description) | $550 |
| Paper filing | $1,000 |
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