GFFS
AS IT’S REVEALED THAT OVER A THIRD OF CLINICAL COMMISSIONING GROUPS (CCGS) IN ENGLAND ARE NOW RESTRICTING ACCESS TO GLUTEN- FREE FOODS FOR COELIAC PATIENTS, TWO SCOTTISH PHARMACISTS ARGUE THAT THE SCOTTISH SYSTEM IS ACTUALLY GOOD FOR THE NHS….
SCOTTISH GLUTEN FREE FOOD SERVICE ‘GOOD FOR NHS’
T
here’s no doubt that gluten- free (GF) foods are much more widely available today than ever
before.
Over the last few years, the number of GF ranges has increased considerably, as has its availability. From being only available in small sections of major supermarkets, even some local corner shops are now stocking GF products.
Yet, paradoxically, research, according to the national charity Coeliac UK, has shown that, while GF staple foods are more widely available today than ever before, they are still not readily accessible across the country.
‘In many budget or convenience stores,’ says Sarah Sleet, Chief Executive of Coeliac UK, ‘research has shown that GF staples are virtually absent. What’s more, those that are
60 - SCOTTISH PHARMACIST
available are prohibitively expensive for too many people, costing three to four times more than regular gluten- containing foods. The result is that those on a limited income, the elderly or those living in remote rural areas can be left struggling to maintain a GF diet, which has a huge impact on their health.
‘We feel strongly that the prescribing of GF foods is an essential NHS service that should be available to all people with clinically-diagnosed coeliac disease. Not only do they support the most vulnerable patients in adhering to what is often a very restrictive and expensive GF diet for life, and research has demonstrated that adherence to the GF diet is greatly improved with support through prescriptions to GF staples and access to dietetic services.’
Last month, Ms Sleet took part in
a ‘head-to-head’ discussion with Matthew Kurien, clinical lecturer in gastroenterology and Professor David Sanders regarding the ongoing access to GF staple foods.
The head-to-head discussion, which was published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), saw the contributors agree that patients with coeliac disease should receive support from the NHS to access GF staple foods, but considered the nature of the way in which that support was provided.
During the debate, the three contributors highlighted that the main case for the UK was to ensure ongoing access to GF staple foods and that removing prescriptions (which is the standard means of supply at present) unfairly discriminated against people with coeliac disease.
‘Targeting GF food prescriptions may reduce costs in the short term,’ the participants said, ‘but there will be long-term costs in terms of patient outcomes’.
The participants also pointed out that there was no other example in the NHS of a disease having its treatment costs cut by 50-100 per cent.
On the other side of the argument, James Cave, a GP from Newbury, suggested an alternative would be a national voucher scheme or a personalised health budget for patients so they receive the difference between the cost of GF products and the prescription.
‘Nobody in this article,’ Sarah Sleet said, ‘’is denying the need for support for people with coeliac disease in accessing staple GF foods such as
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