CCGs criticised over gluten-free food prescriptions
Charity Coeliac UK has spoken out against the way CCGs consult on removing gluten-free prescriptions from their services
Charity Coeliac UK has slammed the “farcical” way that clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in England consult on whether to axe gluten-free prescriptions, following cuts to schemes in Essex.
Southend CCG and Castle Point and Rochford CCG recently decided to stop providing gluten-free food on prescription, and a group of CCGs in Worcestershire is considering whether to halt the service.
Coeliac UK chief executive Sarah Sleet told C+D that CCGs’ consultations on whether to restrict gluten-free prescriptions are “framed in such a way that they are not [on] an objective, level playing field”.
Ms Sleet argues that the way CCGs word consultations on stopping gluten-free prescriptions is misleading. “If you were a member of the general public, you would think: ‘why do people get these products?’”
“[They] cast [gluten-free prescriptions] as something for nothing and suggest there are much more deserving causes elsewhere,” she said. “It is a bit of a farce. It is seen as a relatively easy thing to cut.”
Southend CCG and Castle Point and Rochford CCG recently decided to stop providing gluten-free food on prescription, and a group of CCGs in Worcestershire is considering whether to halt the service.
Coeliac UK chief executive Sarah Sleet told C+D that CCGs’ consultations on whether to restrict gluten-free prescriptions are “framed in such a way that they are not [on] an objective, level playing field”.
Ms Sleet argues that the way CCGs word consultations on stopping gluten-free prescriptions is misleading. “If you were a member of the general public, you would think: ‘why do people get these products?’”
“[They] cast [gluten-free prescriptions] as something for nothing and suggest there are much more deserving causes elsewhere,” she said. “It is a bit of a farce. It is seen as a relatively easy thing to cut.”
Model “outdated”
Dr Jose Garcia Lobera, chair of Southend CCG, said the practice of prescribing gluten-free food was “outdated”.
“Gluten-free alternatives are now readily available and prices have come down,” he said.
Chair of Castle Point and Rochford CCG Dr Michael Saad said there is “no evidence” that patients who receive gluten-free food on prescription are more likely to comply with a gluten-free diet.
A group of CCGs in Worcestershire currently consulting on which services to cut said in a patient survey that gluten-free prescriptions in the area cost the NHS around £300,000 a year.
A CCG spokesperson told C+D that the suggestions of services to restrict – which also includes IVF treatment and knee replacements – are “just ideas”.
“Short-sighted”
Pharmacy manager Babir Malik, who is a coeliac, said CCGs that cut gluten-free prescriptions are “short-sighted”.
“There will be short-term gains, but what about the long-term costs involved in complications from potential non-adherence to the gluten-free diet? It’s not as simple as saying that patients can buy it from the supermarket instead."
“Gluten-free alternatives are now readily available and prices have come down,” he said.
Chair of Castle Point and Rochford CCG Dr Michael Saad said there is “no evidence” that patients who receive gluten-free food on prescription are more likely to comply with a gluten-free diet.
A group of CCGs in Worcestershire currently consulting on which services to cut said in a patient survey that gluten-free prescriptions in the area cost the NHS around £300,000 a year.
A CCG spokesperson told C+D that the suggestions of services to restrict – which also includes IVF treatment and knee replacements – are “just ideas”.
“Short-sighted”
Pharmacy manager Babir Malik, who is a coeliac, said CCGs that cut gluten-free prescriptions are “short-sighted”.
“There will be short-term gains, but what about the long-term costs involved in complications from potential non-adherence to the gluten-free diet? It’s not as simple as saying that patients can buy it from the supermarket instead."
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