New rules applied for pick-me-up injections

VITAMIN B injections – long known for their ability to cure tiredness, boost the immune system and alleviate hangovers – will no longer be available at pharmacies without a prescription.

This follows changes the Health Department made to the scheduling of injections.

Port Elizabeth pharmacist and Klinicare owner Deon Schoeman said that this did not mean Vitamin B injections were dangerous.

"The change has not been brought about by concerns over the active ingredient in the injection," Schoeman said.

"Clients can still get a Vitamin B injection. They must just get a prescription now."

Schoeman said the rescheduling of Vitamin B injections had been a long time coming and pharmacists were first warned about it in 2008.

The legislation was not explicit in its barring of Vitamin B injections at the time.

In February, the Health Department published a schedule barring pharmacies from giving the injections without a prescription.

Schoeman said the efficacy of a Vitamin B injection was all in the mind to some extent.

"Many of my clients say they can almost taste the Vitamin B in their mouths within seconds of being injected," he said.

"The difference between a Vitamin B injection and a Vitamin B pill is about 20 minutes.

"The injection is simply absorbed more quickly." - Estelle Ellis