Changes in Prescribing Gluten-Free Products

At the Board meeting of the NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board on Thursday 12 December, the decision was made to stop the prescribing of Gluten-free products – bread and flour, for patients diagnosed with Coeliac Disease and Dermatitis Herpetiformis.

Historically, the availability of Gluten-free foods was limited; therefore, the foods were made available from local pharmacies via prescriptions. However, with an increased awareness of Coeliac Disease and Gluten intolerance, as well as a general trend towards eating less Gluten, these foods have become more accessible in some supermarkets and online.  There is also better labelling on foods which means that people are better able to see whether ordinary foods are free from Gluten.

The Board also agreed that while it is appreciated that Gluten-free food is still more expensive than equivalent products containing Gluten, the price paid by the NHS for Gluten-free foods on prescription is still much higher than the supermarket or online prices.

In addition, it is possible to eat a Gluten-free diet following the Eatwell Guide for balanced eating without the need for any specialist foods, simply by choosing naturally Gluten-free carbohydrate contain foods such as part of a healthy balanced diet. The Eatwell Guide shows how much of what we eat overall should come from each food group to achieve a healthy, balanced diet.

The change will come into effect for those patients impacted on the 1st February 2025. Please visit our local ICB website for more information.