27
I’m a single parent
to three kids, one
who’s coeliac (a teenage
boy), constantly starving,
no financial help because
I’ve chosen to work (in
a school, so low wages)!
Stood and sobbed in the
chemist because I struggle
(stupidly), and a father
who’s not interested. It’s
hard, he didn’t chose to
become a coeliac.
Amy B, Hemel Hempstead
Me and my dad
are coeliac my dad,
who has retired gets his
free I have to pay for mine,
but my dad won’t be able
afford gluten-free if they
stop it, as it will be too
expensive to buy.
Ruth W, Gloucestershire
PRESCRIPTIONS FOR GLUTEN-FREE FOOD IN NORTHERN
IRELAND AND WALES REMAIN UNCHANGED.
What are they recommending?
The PrescQIPP guidance, issued to
their members in 2015, recommends
that prescribing for gluten-free food
staples is limited to 8 units per month
and that products are restricted to
bread, flour and flour mix.
Coeliac UK called for revisions to
the guidance, but we were unable to
secure changes to the final published
document. It should also be noted
that patients were not directly
consulted in the formulation of the
guidance, and that any CCG wanting
to adopt PrescQIPP recommendations
must first conduct a consultation with
patients in their area – something
we have been highlighting, as we
know that a number of CCGs have not
adequately consulted.
WHAT ORWHO
IS PrescQIPP?
A
number of NHS England
areas have reduced access to
gluten-free staple food on
prescription in line with guidance
produced by an organisation called
PrescQIPP. But who are they?
PrescQIPP states they are
an independent not for profit
programme supporting quality
prescribing in the NHS. They help to
make sure that treatments prescribed
to patients are safe, effective and
good value for money. They do this
by providing guidance and support
on prescribing to a large community
of NHS professionals, and help them
to share their experiences. They are
an arms-length NHS body with more
than 60% of CCGs in England being
paid up members of PrescQIPP.
“In contrast to gluten-free retail
products, in order to be allowed
to provide gluten-free food on
prescription, the manufacturer must
submit the product for approval by
the Advisory Committee on Borderline
Substances (ACBS) which is responsible
to the Department of Health. ACBS
approval ensures products meet the
unique nutritional requirement
of coeliac patients, for example,
through fortification with key
vitamins and minerals.
Availability and access to a
reasonable supply of staple gluten-free
foods is essential to the successful
management of coeliac disease which
is a lifelong condition. BSNA members
ensure guaranteed supply to every
pharmacy in the UK without additional
handling or delivery charges incurred.
Regardless of whether the patient is
in the highlands of Scotland or near
to a city the cost of the NHS remains
the same. This ensures every coeliac
patient is able to receive a foundation
of nutritional support regardless of
locality or socio-economic status.
In addition, prescription
manufacturers provide a range of
additional support services such as
carelines with access to specialist
dietitians and home economists,
menu planning and a range of patient
resources on managing a gluten-free
diet; an area where retail suppliers are
not currently supporting or funding
the NHS and its employees.
Our aim, as manufacturers,
is to support and reinforce the
management strategies provided by
healthcare professionals.”
STATEMENT FROM BSNA
