Evaluation of vitamin D prescribing and consumption in Turkiye

Background and Aims: Vitamin D plays several roles in keeping the body's cells healthy and functioning the way they should. Most people do not get enough Vitamin D, so supplements are common. However, it is also possible for this vitamin to build up and reach toxic levels in the body. This study investigated the prescription of Vitamin D and Analogues in primary care and outpatient consumption in Turkiye between the years 2015- 2018. Also, the number of protocols created with Hypervitaminosis D was evaluated. Methods: In this study, drug consumption data were evaluated by Prescription Information System (PIS) and ATC/DDD (Anatomical, Therapeutic and Chem-Defined Daily Dose) Methodology. Descriptive statistics were used for evaluation of the data, and numerical values were presented via tables and graphics. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using the SPSS 23 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) package program. The Chi-square test was used to evaluate the relationship between the variables, and the P value below 0.05 was accepted as a statistical significance. Results: Between 2015 and 2018, a total of 11.874.898 prescriptions containing drugs with the A11CC (Vitamin D and Analogues) ATC code were created by family physicians. The total number and the percentage of prescriptions containing Vitamin D and Analogues increased over these years. There was a statistically significant difference between the number of prescriptions. While the percentage of prescriptions containing Vitamin D and Analogues was 0.89 in 2015, it was 3.38 in 2018. It was determined that the percentage of prescriptions increased over these years. The consumption of the drugs with the A11CC ATC code in outpatients increased over these years according to the ATC/DDD methodology. Conclusion: The study showed that the prescription of preparations containing Vitamin D by family physicians increased significantly over the years and there was an increase in Vitamin D consumption in outpatients. In addition, it was shown that the number of protocols established for the diagnosis of Hypervitaminosis D increased over the years in Turkiye. Keywords: Drug, drug consumption, rational drug use, Vitamin D, prescribing