Manufacturer Colonis Pharma has announced the launch of its vitamin D deficiency treatment Aviticol. Aviticol 20,000 IU capsules, which launched last week, were a licensed version of cholecalciferol and marked the manufacturer’s entrance into the licensed pharmaceutical market, Colonis said.

“Vitamin D deficiency is a major public health issue in the UK and one that is attracting considerable attention at the moment,” said Andy Scaife, managing director of Colonis parent company Quantum Pharma. “Moving into the licensed market with the launch of Aviticol opens up many new opportunities for us.”

The product can be prescribed to adults, the elderly and children under 12, said the manufacturer, which had issued a cease and desist notification for all unlicensed cholecalciferol products of the same strength.

Aviticol has an NHS price of £29 for 30 capsules.

Aviticol can be ordered from all mainline wholesalers using PIP Code 389-7154