Vitamin D Supplements

NHSGGC Provision of Vitamin D Supplements for Pregnant Women, Breastfeeding Women and Those Under 3 Years Old.

From 1st April 2021 all breastfeeding women and children under 3 years old in NHSGGC have been eligible for a free Vitamin D supplement.
This replaces Healthy Start provision from pharmacies (although Healthy Start tablets will still be supplied to pregnant women by maternity services).

All breastfeeding women will be provided with one bottle of Vitamin D tablets from their maternity unit. Subsequent supplies will be obtained from Community Pharmacies via UCF free of charge.

All children under 3 years old will be eligible for Vitamin D drops free of charge from Community Pharmacies via UCF. Children having more than 500mls (around 1 pint) of formula milk do not need Vitamin D supplements as formula milk is fortified with Vit D3.

Vitamin D is key in maintaining bone health throughout life. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to:

Infants having muscle weakness and bone softening leading to rickets
Adults having muscle weakness and osteomalacia, which leads to bone pain and tenderness.¹

Current national guidelines² recommend that groups at higher risk of Vitamin D deficiency take a daily supplement. This includes:

All pregnant and breastfeeding women; and
Infants and children under 5 years old.

In line with this, the following changes in NHSGGC’s free Vitamin D provision are being made:

For women:

To date, all pregnant women receive free Healthy Start women’s vitamins (containing Vitamin D, Folic Acid and Vitamin C):
- At maternity booking; and
- For the duration of the pregnancy from community midwives

This remains unchanged.

From 1^st April 2021 all breastfeeding women have been eligible for free Vitamin D3 10 micrograms (mcg) tablets from their baby’s birth until breastfeeding ceases.
New Mums should receive their first supply from their maternity unit.
Subsequent supplies will be obtainable from NHSGGC Community Pharmacies via UCF.

For infants and children:

Infants and children under 3 years old (receiving less than 500ml of infant formula) are eligible for free Vitamin D3 drops 10mcg per drop.

Initial supplies for breastfed infants should be made from maternity units or during community midwife visits.
Vitamin D3 is not needed if an infant or child is having more than 500ml (around 1 pint) infant formula every day as formula milk is fortified with Vitamin D3.

Subsequent supplies will be obtainable free for all suitable children under 3 years old from NHSGGC Community Pharmacies via UCF.

Pharmacy supply will be via a UCF:

Select ‘Health Board Local Service’
Prescribe as Vitamin D 10mcg tablets or 10mcg per drop drops (Ivvion*) or;
Colecalciferol 400 IU tablets or 400 IU/ml drops (Ivvion*)
120ml for tablets and 2.4ml for drops

*Previously called Pro Health

The dose is:

One tablet daily for women
One drop (10mcg) daily for babies and children
The dose of one drop (10mcg Vitamin D3) daily can be administered from a clean spoon or mixed with food or drinks.

Although the new Vitamin D scheme ensures children under 3 years old are eligible for free Vitamin D, Vitamin D is advised for all children under 5 years old¹:

Vitamin D drops can therefore be recommended and sold for children aged 3-5 years old.

Ivvion Vitamin D3 Details

Sugar Free.
Suitable for those following a vegan, vegetarian, halal or kosher diet.
Stock is available to order through Alliance, Edinpharm or direct from Ivvion.
To order direct from Ivvion use the following link – Ivvion Order Portal
If you have difficulties ordering the products, please phone Alliance with the codes noted below.

Product	Strength	Pack size	Cost Price	Alliance Code
Vitamin D3 Oral Drops	10mcg per drop	2.4ml	£2.49	8033185
Vitamin D3 Tablets	10µg	120	£2.19	8033193

N.B. If you have difficulty obtaining Ivvion stock via online ordering with Alliance, please telephone Alliance and place the order using the PIP Code.

For any queries please contact the Pharmacy Public Health Improvement Team at:

NHSGGC Gartnavel Hospital
West House, Ground Floor
1055 Great Western Road
GLASGOW
G12 0XH

Tel: 0141 201 4945
Email: ggc.pharmacyhit@nhs.scot

References:

Responsible Person: Hilary Millar
Last Updated: 13/05/26