Why can't we get vitamin supplements on the NHS

[oneofus]

Having read PsychoPoet's page of Inositol, which is a non pescription vitamin supplement available over the counter, I have to ask a couple of questions.

Given it appears to be as effective in many case as anti-depressants but with minimal side effects then why

a) do GP's not know about it?
b) is not available on the NHS esp. since I suspect it is cheaper than ADP's such as Citalopram?
c) How could the mental health community influence the NHS to make such available?

one of us

[rockydog]

Is it definitely not available by prescription as i have other vitamins on perscription ? :)

[steveo]

Vitamins are available on the NHS when they are deemed as necessary. Vitamins most of the time are seen in large as a huge waste of money and in some studies have been seen to cause more damage.
Certain people lack certain vitamins so doctors recommend them but on the whole, they do not supplement good dietary habits and don't replace not eating foods with these vitamins and minerals in.

[rockydog]

Ah i see, yeah i have a severe vitamin D deficiency, so have that perscribed :)

[oneofus]

Not absolutely convinced by the arguments so far, how many people when they are assessed have checks on various vitamins known to be important for good health esp. b12. Other vitamins such as Inositol are known to be effective in treating depression and anxiety. Have a look on PubMed which is the principal repository of academic medical studies, or Google Scholar.

I'm far from a great one for the pharma company conspiracy, being a research scientist, that they are out to sell drugs at any cost, so long as its high, but I was surprised that my GP had no knowledge of Inositol. The conclusion that antidepressants are good earners for the pharma companies seems to be evidenced by this.

One of us