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Information for Medical Practitioners
Page content: Vitamin D deficiency | Prescribing high dose Vitamin D under the TGA Authorised Prescriber scheme | Pharmacies supplying high dose Vitamin D | Further informationVitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency is common in Australia and more common in the people living in the southern states.
Vitamin D is essential for bone and muscle health in all age groups and for the prevention of falls and fractures in older people.
Vitamin D supplements can be low dose (given daily) or high dose (given monthly or less often).
Low dose Vitamin D supplements are available in pharmacies, health food stores and some supermarkets. High dose Vitamin D supplements require a prescription from a medical practitioner that must be dispensed in a pharmacy.
More information about groups at particular risk of Vitamin D deficiency and about latest advice on screening and treatment can be found at:
- Better Health Channel website - Fact sheet on Vitamin D
- Chief Health Officer website - Low Vitamin D in Victoria
Prescribing high dose Vitamin D under the TGA Authorised Prescriber scheme
Presently there are no high dose Vitamin D products available on the Australian market and medical practitioners are required to obtain an authorisation from the Therapeutic Goods Administration if they propose to treat patients with an imported high dose Vitamin D product.
Authorised prescribers under Section 19(5) of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 are required to be endorsed by a hospital Human Research Ethics Committee or by a college ethics committee. More information on becoming an authorised prescriber can be found at the Australian Government - Department of Health and Ageing - Therapeutic Goods Administration. Medical practitioners will need to fill out an “Authorised Prescriber – agreement to treat form”, which is available at the link below.
Authorised Prescriber - agreement to treat form
High dose Vitamin D prescriptions must be filled at a pharmacy. High dose Vitamin D preparations are not subsidised through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. There is no recommended price for a high dose Vitamin D prescription but currently a dispensed price of around $12 for twelve months or $1 per capsule would be reasonable.
Pharmacies supplying high dose Vitamin D
Symbion Pharmacy Supply & Logistics has arranged to hold stock of a high dose Vitamin D product that has been imported from the United States. A number of pharmacies have agreed to charge $12 for 12 capsules.
Pharmacies can order stock from Symbion and dispense prescriptions written by an authorised prescriber. Pharmacists cannot dispense the high dose Vitamin D product if the prescribing medical practitioner does not have a TGA authorisation. To further assist supply of the product to your patient it is suggested that you complete the document available at the link below and provide it to your patients along with a photocopy of the TGA authorisation you have obtained. If you are unable to locate your TGA authorisation you can request another copy from the TGA by emailing 'I would like to request a copy of the TGA authorised prescriber letter of authorisation for cholecalciferol for X doctor at X sites' to eds@tga.gov.au
Further information
Contact information for further enquiries.
