Continue prescribing gluten-free foods on NHS, argue dieticians

[Northerner]

A gluten-free diet is the only treatment for coeliac disease and therefore warrants the continued provision of gluten-free staples on prescription, says the British Dietetic Association (BDA) in an updated policy statement on the issue, published today.

But these foods should be provided via dietetic or pharmacy-led schemes to reduce the cost to the NHS of the provision of gluten-free foods on prescription, while maintaining an excellent service for patients with coeliac disease, it says.

The issue of gluten-free foods on prescription has been an ongoing source of debate.

http://www.onmedica.com/newsArticle.aspx?id=ffc899f0-1247-48c8-a5f9-bfbdd6d283cf

 

[Pumper_Sue]

My GP practise uses the pharmacy scheme and the CCG pays the pharmacist over £100 a year per patient to administer it.
The list of food is very limited as to what the CCG will pay for and if the pharmacist allows something the CCG does not approve of then the pharmacist does not get paid.

On offer is high carb bread and pasta both of which are disgusting in taste. There is one bread Genius triple seeded that tastes ok and lower carb but nope can not have that on prescription.

Hence I refuse to use the service.

Have invested in a bread maker and the bread is very yummy that way.