Disparity in cholecalciferol content of commercial preparations available in India.
Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2013 Nov;17(6):1100-3. doi: 10.4103/2230-8210.122638.
Khadgawat R1, Ramot R1, Chacko KM2, Marwaha RK2.
BACKGROUND: High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) has been reported throughout the India for all age groups. Increased awareness about VDD among treating physicians has led to increased prescriptions of vitamin D preparations. Based on our experience of varied clinical and radiological response with different vitamin D formulations, we decided to assess cholecalciferol content of commonly available vitamin D formulations.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured cholecalciferol content of 14 commercial preparations (two in the form of tablets and 12 as sachet) available in Indian market. Lab analysis was carried out in Shriram Institute for Industrial Research by high-performance liquid chromatography.
RESULTS: Of the total 14 samples analyzed only 4 (28.57%) were found to be within the acceptable ranges from -90 to +125% as defined by Indian Pharmacopia while 5 (35.7%) had higher and 5 (35.7%) had lower than the acceptable range. The percentage variation in cholecalciferol content as observed from the printed ranged widely from -91% to +65%.
CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows a high degree of variability in cholecalciferol content of commercial preparations available in the Indian pharmaceutical market. This variation has many clinical implications as it may lead both, under treatment as well as vitamin D toxicity.
PMID: 24381892
A few examples of 60,000 IU sachets in India
$6 for 8 packages of 60,000 IU in India (via ebay - no shipping cost)
PDF is attached at the bottom of this page
See also VitaminDWiki
- Most vitamin D bought over-the-counter meet requirements – Feb 2013 US
- Another country with poor Vitamin D quality control – New Zealand content varies from 8 to 200 percent – Feb 2013
- 60,000 IU vitamin D weekly with daily Calcium was safe but not enough in the winter – 2012
- Why India's vitamin D deficiency is grim - 40 pages Feb 2014
- Vitamin D level of outdoor workers in India was only 18 ng– May 2019
See also web
- Innovation and the Three “P’s”: A 360-degree View of Indian Health Care July 2014
nothing about vitamin D, but intersting insiight on Indian and Chinese health care,