http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2500050a7144,00.html

Mystery increase in use of vitamin B12

26 May 2003

By MARIANNE BETTS

Lives could be at risk if a sudden unexpected surge in use of injectable vitamin B12 continues and creates a nationwide shortage of the supplement, its New Zealand supplier says.
 

Pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline medical director Ian Griffiths said he was at a loss to explain why demand for the vitamin had doubled in the past month.

He said vitamin B12 injections were used to treat pernicious anaemia, caused by a failure to produce a substance that helps absorb B12, or by a dietary deficiency of the vitamin.

In severe forms, pernicious anaemia affects the nervous system, and if left untreated it can be fatal.

The New Zealand demand used to be for about 4000 units a month, but two months' worth had been used in the past month, Dr Griffiths said.

"The only problem is if this sudden surge keeps going all winter and we don't find out what's behind it – we'll be scrambling to get enough vitamin B12."

He said doctors had so far failed to come up with a convincing explanation for the sharp rise in use, which had not happened before.

Dr Griffiths said the company held a "buffer" supply of vitamin B12 thatb had so far enabled it to cope with the increased demand. The vitamin was brought into New Zealand every three months and as long as nothing went wrong with the shipments he hoped the company would meet demand.

He said B12 was also used to treat chronic fatigue syndrome, used as a "straight-out" vitamin booster and in conditions where the body had difficulty absorbing it properly.

A Capital and Coast District Health Board spokeswoman said there had been no surge in demand for vitamin B12 at Wellington Hospital and there was no shortage of it.

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