Gluten Free Products on FP10

[tinx25388]

A colleague of mine informed me today that a prescription request had been sent back without a script, as they are not prescribing GF products on the NHS anymore (this was a standardised letter from the surgery on the change, not patient-specific). The colleague was under the impression that this was a general change, but as we have had scripts from other surgeries, and the products are still on the ACBS list in the Drug Tariff, I'm thinking that it may be a decision just taken by the surgery.

I just wondered if anyone else had heard of this, or if it is something that is being phased out?

[johnep]

As these products now widely available, surgeries are cutting costs.
Expect more product groups to be treated in similar fashion.
johnep

[bobbin]

...the products are still on the ACBS list in the Drug Tariff, I'm thinking that it may be a decision just taken by the surgery.

Such products are still allowed on prescription, but some PCTs are advising doctors not to prescribe.

I have no idea who decided that pharmacies were suitable places to obtain GF foods. I feel quite ridiculous signing off loaves of bread. The only way forward is for customers to be offered a decent range of sensibly priced GF foods in shops.

Prescribing of these products should never have been allowed in the first place; now that manufacturers can sell their overpriced products via the NHS, there is no incentive for companies to sell them to shops and supermarkets at reasonable prices. If GF prescribing was not allowed, manufacturers would have to compete to sell to the likes of ASDA and Tesco instead.... which are of course the appropriate places to obtain food.

I would be interested to know how much money and 'educational material' have been provided by GF manufacturers to Coeliac charities. With the generous help of manufacturers, these charities strongly promote NHS prescribing. Instead of attacking PCTs which restrict prescribing, it might be more valuable for the charities to campaign for better prices in shops. When we note that a box of 8 Juvela fresh loaves costs the NHS £26.64, we will see why manufacturers are so keen to promote NHS prescribing.