The Department of Health and Social Care (DH) decided in February that “bread and [flour] mixes only” should remain available across England, following a public consultation that received almost 8,000 responses – including 1,150 healthcare professionals.

The regulatory amendments to restrict prescribing of gluten-free products have now been put before parliament, and will come into force on December 4, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) said yesterday (November 21).

Any “outstanding prescriptions (including owings) for gluten-free foods other than bread and mixes” should be dispensed and submitted for payment before December, the negotiator recommended.

“If a patient presents a prescription for any restricted gluten-free foods in December, they will need to be referred back to the prescriber to discuss suitable alternatives.”

Read PSNC’s full briefing on the gluten-free prescription changes.

Last year, C+D hosted a roundtable debate to discuss what plans to scrap certain treatments, including gluten-free items, from prescriptions could mean for pharmacists, patients, and the wider NHS. Listen to it below, or subscribe to all of C+D's podcasts here.