3 October 2016

Coeliac UK is campaigning for gluten-free prescribing to remain an essential NHS support for people with coeliac disease and tonight, Sarah Sleet, Chief Executive of Coeliac UK was making the case in an interview shown on ITV news. A case study from Norfolk was also interviewed. The feature may also be repeated on ITV News at 10 tonight.

If you were unable to catch it live you can watch again on the ITV hub (19 minutes 34 seconds in) until 11.59pm on Tuesday 4 September. 

Gluten-free prescribing in England has become a postcode lottery with 60% of clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) following National Prescribing Guidelines, 32% restricting products available and 8% having completely withdrawn prescribing of gluten-free foods for adults.

Gluten-free food on prescription provides vital NHS support to those medically diagnosed with coeliac disease. There is a real availability gap and an even bigger affordability gap for key gluten-free products such as breads and flours for patients. Gram for gram, gluten-free bread is six times more expensive than gluten containing bread while budget and convenience stores stock very little, if any, such foods.

At just £194 per patient per year, this is an extremely cost effective support for vulnerable patients. Without this support sticking to the gluten-free diet, the only treatment for the condition, will be even more difficult for many and potentially result in long term health complications, such as osteoporosis, infertility and, in some rare cases, small bowel cancer. These conditions could cost the NHS a lot more in the long run.

Find out more information and how you can get involved.