The Availability of Gluten Free Foods on Prescription in Primary Care

The Department of Health launched a consultation on the availability of gluten-free foods on prescription, which ended at midday on 22 June 2017.

"We welcome this review and are committed to supporting a sustainable funding model for the provision of essential staple gluten free foods linked to an appropriate care pathway."

In its official response to the consultation, BSNA acknowledges that the gluten-free prescription plays an important contributing role in the successful management of coeliac disease (CD) in primary care, not to meet all the dietary requirements of people with CD but to provide the patient with a guaranteed reasonable supply of staple gluten-free foods from which they can successfully adhere to a gluten-free diet.

Unlike those conditions requiring long-term drug intervention, the only treatment for CD is lifelong adherence to a strict gluten-free diet.

A formal response to the consultation is expected from the DH following their analysis of the submissions received.

Please find below:

• BSNA's official response to the three questions proposed by the Department of Health
• BSNA's supplementary information