{"id":115,"date":"2024-05-16T18:51:12","date_gmt":"2024-05-16T17:51:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/nhs-ggc\/nhs-borders\/pharmacy-services\/vitamin-d-supplements\/"},"modified":"2025-06-19T16:35:16","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T15:35:16","slug":"vitamin-d-supplements","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/nhs-ggc\/pages\/pharmacy-services\/vitamin-d-supplements\/","title":{"rendered":"Vitamin D Supplements"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>NHS GGC Provision of Vitamin D Supplements for Pregnant Women, Breastfeeding Women and Those Under 3 Years Old<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From 1st April 2021 all breastfeeding women and children under 3 years old in NHS GGC have been eligible for a free Vitamin D supplement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This replaces Healthy Start&nbsp;provision from pharmacies (although Healthy Start tablets will still be supplied to pregnant women by maternity services).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All breastfeeding women will be provided with one bottle of Pro Health Vitamin D tablets from their maternity unit.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Subsequent supplies will be obtained from Community Pharmacies via UCF free of charge<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>All<\/strong>&nbsp;children under 3 years old will be eligible to Pro Health Vitamin D drops free of charge from Community Pharmacies via UCF.&nbsp; Children having more than 500mls (around 1 pint) of formula milk do&nbsp;<strong>not<\/strong>&nbsp;need Vitamin D supplements as formula milk is fortified with Vit D3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vitamin D is key in maintaining bone health throughout life. &nbsp;Vitamin D deficiency can lead to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Infants having muscle weakness and bone softening leading to rickets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adults having muscle weakness and osteomalacia, which leads to bone pain and tenderness.<sup>1<\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Current national guidelines<sup>2<\/sup>&nbsp;recommend that groups at higher risk of Vitamin D deficiency take a daily supplement. &nbsp;This includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>All pregnant and breastfeeding women and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Infants and children under 5 years old.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In line with this, the following changes in NHS GGC\u2019s free Vitamin D provision are being made:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For women:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To date, all pregnant women receive free Healthy Start women\u2019s vitamins (containing Vitamin D, Folic Acid and Vitamin C):\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>At maternity booking and;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For the duration of the pregnancy from community midwives<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This remains unchanged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>From<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>1<sup>st<\/sup>&nbsp;April 2021<\/strong>&nbsp;all&nbsp;<strong>breastfeeding<\/strong>&nbsp;women have been eligible for free<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Pro Health Vitamin D3 10 micrograms (mcg<strong>)&nbsp;<\/strong>tablets from their baby\u2019s birth until breastfeeding ceases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>New mums should receive their first supply from their maternity unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Subsequent supplies will be obtainable from NHS GGC Community Pharmacies via UCF<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For infants and children:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Infants and children under 3 years old (receiving less than 500ml of infant formula) are eligible for free Pro Health Vitamin D3 drops 10mcg per drop.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Initial supplies for breastfed infants should be made from maternity units or during community midwife visits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vitamin D3 is&nbsp;<strong>not<\/strong>&nbsp;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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Subsequent supplies will be obtainable free for&nbsp;all suitable children under 3 years old from NHS GGC Community Pharmacies via UCF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pharmacy supply will be via a UCF<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Select \u2018Health Board Local Service\u2019<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prescribe as Vitamin D 10mcg tablets or 10mcg per drop drops (Pro Health) or;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Colecalciferol 400 IU tablets or 400 IU\/ml drops (Pro Health)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>120ml for tablets and 2.4ml for drops<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The dose is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>One tablet daily for women<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>One drop (10mcg) daily for babies and children<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The dose of one drop (10mcg Vitamin D3) daily can be administered from a clean spoon or mixed with food or drinks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Although the new Vitamin D scheme ensures children under 3 years old are eligible for free Vitamin D,&nbsp;<strong>Vitamin D is advised for all children under 5 years old<sup>1<\/sup><\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Vitamin D drops can therefore be recommended and sold for children aged 3-5 years old.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We would encourage the display of Pro Health Vitamins for sale &#8211; ideally with other children\u2019s and post-natal vitamins.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Pro Health Vitamin D3 Details<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/media\/5936\/24ml-drops.bmp?width=214&amp;height=269\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nhsggc.org.uk\/media\/266069\/vitdtablets_panel.jpg?width=202&amp;height=271\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sugar Free.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Suitable for those following a vegan, vegetarian, halal or kosher diet.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stock is available to order through Alliance, Edinpharm or direct from Pro Health.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To order direct from Pro Health use the following link &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/prohealth.uk.com\/pages\/order-portal\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/prohealth.uk.com\/pages\/order-portal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pro Health Order Portal<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you have difficulties ordering the products, please phone Alliance with the codes noted below.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Product<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Strength<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Pack size<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Cost Price<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Alliance Code<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Pro Health Vitamin D3 Oral Drops<\/td><td>10mcg per drop<\/td><td>2.4ml<\/td><td>\u00a32.49<\/td><td>8033185<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Pro Health Vitamin D3 Tablets<\/td><td>10\u00b5g<\/td><td>120<\/td><td>\u00a32.19<\/td><td>8033193<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>N.B. If you have difficulty obtaining Pro Health stock via online ordering with Alliance, please&nbsp;<strong>telephone<\/strong>&nbsp;Alliance and place the order&nbsp;using the PIP Code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To Promote Pro Health Vitamin D Supply<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Resources including a window sticker, prescription bag labels and point of sale wobblers will be delivered directly to Community Pharmacies during initial roll-out.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You may be presented with&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhsggc.org.uk\/media\/266119\/vit-d-postcard.pdf\">postcards<\/a>&nbsp;(given to new mums from Maternity Services)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhsggc.org.uk\/media\/266104\/vitamin_d_for_breast_feeding_women_kids_under_three_booklet.pdf\">information booklet<\/a>&nbsp;for Vitamin D for breastfeeding women and children under 3 years old.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For any queries or further supplies of resources to promote this service contact the&nbsp;Pharmacy&nbsp;Public Health Improvement Team&nbsp;at:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">NHSGGC<br>Gartnavel Hospital<br>West House, Ground Floor<br>1055 Great Western Road<br>GLASGOW<br>G12 0XH<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>Tel: 0141 201 4945<br>Email:&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:ggc.pharmacyhit@nhs.scot\">ggc.pharmacyhit@nhs.scot<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>References, Further Details and Resources Can Be Accessed Via:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/media\/5598\/cmo-unnumbered-letter-issued-on-24-november-2017-final-new-recommendations-on-vitamin-d-supplementation.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CMO (2017) New Recommendations on Vitamin D Supplementation<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.scot\/publications\/vitamin-d-advice-for-all-age-groups\/#:~:text=%20Vitamin%20D%3A%20advice%20for%20all%20age%20groups,differently%2C%20daily%20supplements%20at%20the%20recommended...%20More%20\">Vitamin D: advice for all age groups &#8211; (www.gov.scot)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nhsggc.org.uk\/your-health\/vitamin-d\/\">nhsggc.org.uk\/your-health\/vitamin-d\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Details on the Vitamin D Supplement Service for patients and professionals and frequently asked questions including&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhsggc.org.uk\/media\/266104\/vitamin_d_for_breast_feeding_women_kids_under_three_booklet.pdf\">patient booklet<\/a>&nbsp;that can be ordered free from the Public Health Resource Directory (see below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.phrd.scot.nhs.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Public Health Resource Directory<\/a>&nbsp;where&nbsp;further free information booklets and leaflets resources can be ordered (in multiple languages)&nbsp;at the&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.hpac.nhs.uk\/HPAC\/HPACIndex.jsp?sitename=www.phrd.scot.nhs.uk\">Health Promotion Access Catalogue<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Responsible Person: Laura Davis<br>Last Updated: 28\/04\/25<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p class=\"nhsuk-card__description\">NHS GGC Provision of Vitamin D Supplements for Pregnant Women, Breastfeeding Women and Those Under 3 Years Old From 1st [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":69,"menu_order":16,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-115","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/nhs-ggc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/115","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/nhs-ggc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/nhs-ggc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/nhs-ggc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/nhs-ggc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=115"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/nhs-ggc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/115\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1888,"href":"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/nhs-ggc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/115\/revisions\/1888"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/nhs-ggc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/69"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk\/nhs-ggc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=115"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}