Do the NHS prescribe vitamins? A complete guide to prescription eligibility.

January 2, 2026 •

4 min read

According to NHS guidance, items with limited evidence of clinical effectiveness, such as routine vitamins, should not be routinely prescribed. The NHS approach is to only prescribe vitamins for specific, medically justified reasons based on clinical need.

Quick Summary

The NHS provides vitamins on prescription only for diagnosed deficiencies or qualifying conditions, not general health. OTC purchasing is encouraged, and free supplements are available for eligible groups via the Healthy Start scheme.

Key Points

Prescription for Medical Need: The NHS only prescribes vitamins for specific, medically diagnosed deficiencies or conditions, not for general well-being.
OTC for General Health: For routine supplementation, the NHS recommends purchasing vitamins over-the-counter, as they are widely available and cost-effective.
Healthy Start Scheme: Free vitamins are provided to eligible low-income families via the Healthy Start scheme, which is separate from a GP's prescription.
High-Dose Exceptions: High-dose folic acid (5mg) is prescribed for pregnant women with specific risk factors for neural tube defects.
Vitamin D Recommendations: The NHS recommends that most people take a vitamin D supplement during autumn and winter, available OTC, though high-dose treatment for severe deficiency may be prescribed.
B12 and Iron Prescriptions: Injections for Vitamin B12 deficiency (pernicious anaemia) and iron tablets for iron deficiency anaemia are available on prescription.

The NHS approach to vitamin prescribing

The NHS takes a clear stance on vitamin prescribing, outlining that routine supplementation should not be the norm. The central principle is that a healthy, varied, and balanced diet should provide most people with the necessary vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, many common supplements are widely available and cheaper to purchase over-the-counter (OTC) from supermarkets and pharmacies. Prescribing these items would represent a significant, and often unnecessary, cost to the NHS. This policy ensures that resources are directed towards more pressing medical needs. Consequently, patients are generally advised to self-manage their vitamin intake unless there is a specific, clinically confirmed reason for a prescription.

When do the NHS prescribe vitamins?

While the default is not to prescribe, there are important exceptions where the NHS will fund vitamins based on specific medical evidence and patient circumstances.

Diagnosed deficiency

If a blood test or other medical assessment confirms a vitamin deficiency, a GP or specialist can prescribe a course of treatment. A key distinction is made between treatment to correct a deficiency and ongoing maintenance or preventative supplementation, which is typically not prescribed.

Common prescriptions for deficiencies include:

Vitamin B12: For pernicious anaemia or other non-dietary causes, lifelong hydroxocobalamin injections are often required. For diet-related deficiencies, tablets or less frequent injections may be sufficient.
Iron: Prescription iron supplements, such as ferrous fumarate or ferrous sulfate, are used to treat iron deficiency anaemia.
Vitamin D: A high-dose course may be prescribed for symptomatic patients with a confirmed severe deficiency, especially if it is impacting bone health. Maintenance supplementation is usually advised to be purchased OTC.

Chronic conditions and malabsorption

Patients with certain chronic health issues or those who have undergone specific surgeries may struggle with nutrient absorption and qualify for ongoing prescriptions.

Osteoporosis: A prescription for calcium and vitamin D is one of the recognised exceptions.
Bariatric surgery: Some types, like Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, necessitate lifelong nutritional supplements due to impaired absorption. These patients may be prescribed supplements like Forceval®.
Chronic alcoholism: Malnutrition associated with chronic alcoholism is another instance where a prescription may be warranted.

High-dose folic acid for at-risk pregnancies

All pregnant women are advised to take a standard 400mcg folic acid supplement, which is available OTC. However, a GP will prescribe a higher 5mg dose for those with an increased risk of neural tube defects. These risk factors include:

Having a personal or family history of neural tube defects.
Having a previous pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect.
Having diabetes or taking specific anti-epilepsy medication.

The Healthy Start scheme: Free, not prescribed

An important route for accessing vitamins is through the NHS Healthy Start scheme, which is separate from GP prescriptions. This scheme provides free vitamins to eligible pregnant women, new mothers, and children under the age of 4 who are from low-income families.

The scheme offers two products:

Healthy Start women's tablets: Contain folic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin D.
Healthy Start children's drops: Contain vitamins A, C, and D.

Eligible individuals receive a Healthy Start card and can collect their free vitamins from designated local health centres or pharmacies without a prescription.

Over-the-counter (OTC) and seasonal recommendations

For general health, and where no clinical deficiency exists, the NHS strongly encourages OTC purchase of vitamins. This includes specific government recommendations for vitamin D intake.

Vitamin D for adults and children over 4: A daily 10mcg supplement is recommended during autumn and winter. People with limited sun exposure or darker skin may need to take it year-round.
Vitamin D for infants and young children: Recommendations include daily vitamin D supplements for breastfed babies from birth and for all children aged 1 to 4.

Vitamin routes compared: Prescription vs. Healthy Start vs. OTC


Feature	Prescription Vitamins	Healthy Start Vitamins	Over-the-Counter Vitamins
Purpose	Treating a clinically confirmed deficiency or managing a specific medical condition.	Preventative supplementation for eligible at-risk groups.	General health maintenance or seasonal supplementation.
Eligibility	Requires a medical diagnosis, often confirmed by blood tests.	Eligible pregnant women, new mothers, and children under 4 on qualifying benefits.	Available for purchase by everyone.
Cost	Free with an NHS prescription or standard prescription charge applies.	Free for those on the scheme.	Patient pays the full retail price.
Route	Issued by a GP or specialist and dispensed by a pharmacy.	Provided via the Healthy Start scheme; collected at designated sites.	Purchased directly from pharmacies, supermarkets, etc..

Conclusion

While the NHS will not provide vitamins for routine, preventative purposes, it plays a critical role in supplying them under specific medical circumstances. Prescriptions are reserved for those with diagnosed deficiencies, chronic malabsorption issues, or specific pregnancy-related needs. For eligible low-income families, the Healthy Start scheme offers a vital non-prescription route for accessing free vitamins. For general health, the NHS advises that a balanced diet is key, supplemented by affordable OTC vitamins, especially for seasonal needs like vitamin D. If you have concerns about your vitamin levels, consulting a GP or pharmacist is the most prudent step to assess your individual needs and the correct pathway for treatment or supplementation.

For more information on the Healthy Start scheme, visit the official NHS Healthy Start website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The NHS does not routinely prescribe vitamins because a healthy, balanced diet should provide most people with the nutrients they need. The NHS also prioritises its budget, and vitamins are widely and cheaply available over-the-counter.

You can only get high-dose vitamin D on prescription from the NHS if a blood test confirms a severe deficiency and you have related symptoms. For general maintenance or winter supplementation, you are expected to buy supplements over-the-counter.

Yes, vitamin B12 injections (hydroxocobalamin) are available on the NHS, particularly for patients with pernicious anaemia or other non-dietary causes of deficiency.

The Healthy Start scheme provides free vitamins to eligible pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and children under four from low-income families. It is not a GP prescription but a separate collection service.

A pregnant woman can get a prescription for a higher, 5mg dose of folic acid if she has a family history of neural tube defects, diabetes, or other specific risk factors. Standard folic acid is available OTC.

Generally, no, the NHS does not prescribe standard multivitamins for general use. In very specific cases, such as certain bariatric surgeries or metabolic conditions like PKU, a multivitamin may be prescribed due to malabsorption.

If you are experiencing symptoms you believe are caused by a vitamin deficiency, you should consult your GP. They can assess your symptoms, discuss your diet, and order a blood test if necessary to confirm a deficiency.