Questions related to: What happens if the Government decides to keep gluten free food on prescription? Do CCGs that have removed gluten free prescriptions have to reinstate them?
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What was the outcome of the Westminster debate on gluten free prescribing?
You can find a full transcript of the debate here.
The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health committed to completing a review of the issue within six months of the debate, which was held on 1 November 2016. The Department of Health consultation was issued on 31 March 2017. Coeliac UK was not contacted during the intervening period.
How do you decide on which external research projects should be funded?
Research proposals are screened by our Policy, Research and Campaigns team for their completeness.
Our Research Awards Panel comprises of experts who make recommendations for funding, either autonomously or based on the feedback of experts external to the panel and the lay Member Review Panel. The selection of proposals for funding by our Research Awards Panel, is based strictly on peer review evaluation of scientific excellence and against the criteria of our Research Strategy.
Research must underpin our top ten research priorities
I like Juvela foods and they’re not available in the supermarkets. What will happen to them?
We have been talking to manufacturers for many years about the possibility of changes in access to prescriptions and we would welcome better access in retail to all gluten free foods for people with coeliac disease. In the end individual companies will need to make the business decisions on where best to supply their products.
What about accidental contamination? There have been recall cases in retail over last few years.
Increase in product recalls reflects increase in product availability in retail and most product alerts relate to mislabelling rather than problems with contamination. Both prescribed and non-prescribed products have to meet regulatory standards and in fact most companies supplying to the NHS also provide retail products. Contamination risks need to be properly controlled regardless of supply chain.
If I can’t get gluten free food on prescription will I have to eat gluten containing foods and make myself ill?
We understand how difficult it might be to manage without prescriptions. Gluten free staple foods like bread are key products in managing the diet from both a nutritional and practical standpoint so more care will be needed.
We are trying to make it easier by providing advice for managing a gluten free diet on a budget.
Prescriptions foods are fortified so they’re better for me, aren’t they?
Fortification of gluten free foods is not compulsory and there are examples of both prescription only and retail products that are fortified and conversely not fortified.
Unfortunately, labelling legislation does not require declaration of nutrients such as iron and calcium but some products will put information about this, particularly where they have been fortified.
I would like to donate money for research into coeliac disease, who do I contact?
Our Fundraising Team will be able to help you with your donation - please phone 01494 796 136 to speak to one of our Team Members or email fundraising@coeliac.org.uk.
Who can attend the Coeliac UK Research Conference?
Employees of the NHS involved in the diagnosis and/or management of patients with coeliac disease and/or gluten related conditions. Academics, researchers or students, employed or registered with a university, and have an interest in coeliac disease, gluten related autoimmune conditions and / or the gluten free diet. All Coeliac UK members can access Powerpoint presentations (where permission from the speaker has been given) and videos for each of the talks which can be accessed via membership login.
Are prescriptions products safer than retail products?
All gluten free foods are covered by the same legislation and therefore need to reach the same standard to be labelled gluten free whether they are available from shops or on prescription.