This PSNC Briefing provides background information on vitamin D and why it is important for at-risk groups to take supplements. The Briefing summarises the recently published NICE Public Health Guidance 56 ‘Vitamin D: increasing supplement use among at-risk groups’ highlighting elements of the document that are of most relevance to community pharmacy. It also provides details on the UK-wide Healthy Start initiative and an example from an LPC where pharmacies are involved in successfully distributing Healthy Start vitamins as well as suggested actions for LPCs. In addition, the briefing touches on the limited availability of licensed vitamin D medicines and where to obtain further information on vitamin D and the Healthy Start scheme.

PSNC Briefing 033/14: Increasing use of vitamin D supplements for at-risk groups (December 2014)

If you have any queries on this PSNC Briefing or you require more information, please contact the PSNC Services Team at: Services.Team@psnc.org.uk.

When this PSNC Briefing was published in December 2014, PSNC had been advised by the Department of Health (DH) that Healthy Start vitamins would be available for community pharmacies to order from wholesalers in early 2015. On the 2 February 2015, PSNC was advised that DH is now aiming to have Healthy Start vitamins available for community pharmacies to order through wholesalers by 1 April 2015.

To browse other PSNC briefings on services and commissioning click here.