Prescribing patterns of vitamin D and analogues in a private healthcare patient population in South Africa

Abstract

Introduction: Numerous studies show the benefits of vitamin D: in the prevention of bone disease, supporting the immune system and the prevention and mitigation of cancer. Until recently, supplementation has been deemed unnecessary. Nonetheless, in the light of emerging evidence, some practitioners are adding vitamin D and its analogues (Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification code A11CC) to their prescriptions. Therefore, the aim was to determine the medical insurance prescribing patterns of vitamin D in South Africa.