Gluten-free prescriptions

Adults and children medically diagnosed with coeliac disease can receive staples such as bread, pasta, flour mixes on prescription from their GP.

Here are a few key facts about how the process works to get you started, as well as tools that will help! 

• What foods are available?
  
  The range and quality of gluten-free products available has increased greatly over recent years - the days of the gluten-free bread in tins are over!  There are many different products now available, from a variety of different manufacturers. Products available include specially manufactured breads, rolls, pastas, flour and bread mixes and pizza bases.
  
  It's a good idea to try as many different products as you can, because everyone's personal taste is different! It's worthwhile contacting a number of manufacturers directly, who can give you information on specific products, and may even be able to send you a sample to try.
  
  We can provide you with a list of all the gluten-free manufacturers of prescrible products, so you can contact them directly about their specific products - email our food and drink team via our contact form.
  
  A list of all the foods available on prescription can be found in our Food and Drink Directory, and can also be downloaded here.
  New products become available throughout the year, which are added to our prescribable list and to our monthly updates for the Food and Drink Directory.
  
• Who decides what products are available on prescription?
  
  The ACBS (Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances) is a non-departmental public body, owned by the Department of Health. It's job is to recommend to GPs what products (which are not drugs or medical devices) can be prescribed to patients at NHS expense.
   
  If a company wants a product to be prescribed by GPs in the UK, it should be approved by the ACBS Committee.
   
  You can find further information at the ACBS website.  
  
• How do I get food on prescription?
  
  In most parts of the country, the prescriptions for gluten-free food work in the same way as prescriptions for medications. The GP raises and signs the prescription, which is then dispensed by a pharmacist. Once well established on the gluten-free diet, you will be able to get products on a repeat prescription.  
   
• How often should my prescription be reviewed?
  
  Most people get their prescription on a monthly basis - although do ask your GP how often they want to review your prescription.    
  
• How many items can I receive?
  
  There are guidelines available that recommend a minimum amount of food you can receive on prescription each month. Your doctor should take into consideration your age, gender, how active you are and whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding. 
  
  Each food item is given a number of units, depending on the size, and each person is recommended a mimimum number of units each month.
  
  The amount of food that can be prescribed is up to the prescribing doctor.
  
  A good idea is to make an estimate of how much bread, pasta etc you would normally eat in a month to help them calculate how much you will need.
  
  There is flexibility in the guidlelines to use your number of units as you like  - for instance some people may just receive bread on prescription, or others prefer to get a variety of foods.  
  
  Coeliac UK's A4 leaflet on prescriptions is available here.
  
• Will I need to pay for my prescription?
  
  Unless you qualify for free prescriptions, based on age, income etc you will need to pay for your prescription. Usually you will need to pay one prescription charge for each item of gluten-free food.
  
  For example 8 loaves of the same bread would be one charge, while 1 packet of pasta would be another charge.
  
  In England and Northern Ireland the prescription charge is £7.10, in Scotland it's £5. In Wales prescriptions are free of charge.
  
  If you do need to pay for prescription items, it may work out cheaper to get a pre-payment certificate (PPC). This certificate covers the cost of medications on prescription as well as gluten-free food. To find out more about PPC's please click here.
  
  To find out if you are entitled to free prescriptions, please see the Department of Health website.
  
• Can I change my prescription?
  
  In the early days of managing your coeliac disease it is likely that you will need to change the amount or type of gluten-free products you get on prescription. If you want to change your prescription at any time you should make an appointment to see your GP or someone else at the surgery that can help you.
  
  It's important that you cancel any food items from your prescription that you don't use!
  
• Who can advise me on what products to choose?
  
  Your dietitian will be able to advise you on what foods that will best meet your nutritional needs and liaise with your GP as necessary. If you or your child are newly diagnosed with coeliac disease, check that you have been referred to a dietitian. A GP or hospital doctor can arrange a referral.