Effectiveness of different local actions to control vitamin D prescription in Italy.

Introduction: In the last decade, the significant expenditure and consumption increase of vitamin D in Italy led some regions to adopt strategies to improve prescribing appropriateness and contain expenditure.

Materials and methods: Using the statistical analysis method of interrupted time series for consumption and expenditure of cholecalciferol, different types of interventions adopted in four Italian regions and their efficacy were evaluated.

Results: Molise achieved the best results by adopting a health professionals' education program in addition to a prescriber-sanction system. Emilia-Romagna also opted for a medical education strategy, but the results were less relevant due to the lack of penalties. Lazio obtained a slowdown in consumption growth by targeting on the utilization of lower-cost per defined daily dose (DDD) packs and adopting a therapeutic plan. Sardinia showed a decrease in expenditure by adopting a target threshold of lower-cost formulation.

Conclusion: The reimbursement of the lowest-cost packs within the National Health Service (NHS) undoubtedly influences spending trend, but it does not solve prescriptive inappropriateness.