Post by Suzy on Feb 21, 2011 17:24:00 GMT
Posted by Lynne on 18/2/2011
GF board
The two MP's I've written to re: the prescription changes have said they will look in to this and be in touch.
Below is the reply I received back from the EKPCT and my response. Sorry if I ramble on but ......
Dear Ms Milton.
Thank you for your email. These new changes have been rolled out across the south east of England and all Primary Care Trusts in the region have agreed this policy. I have copied your email to our Medicines Management department for a more detailed response. I do appreciate that this comes at a difficult time financially for us all.
Since we have now had a few calls and contacts from coeliacs and their families on this subject I made a point of checking my local supermarket (Tescos in Cheriton) to see what gluten free products were available. I did find a very good range and I looked particularly at a 500g packed of pasta spirals. The gluten free ones cost £1.55 – Tescos own wheat flour ones are on offer at the moment and cost 98p and Napolini cost £1.15. So I will agree with you that they are more expensive, but not hugely so. Diabetics do not get any foodstuffs on prescription and neither do nut-allergy patients, and both categories certainly have to make considerable adjustments to their diet to deal with their chronic illness; this may have a bearing on the recent changes to the provision of gluten free products.
I will get back to you with a more thorough response when I have had guidance from Medicines Management.
Best wishes,
Liz Coleman
PALS Manager, NHS Eastern and Coastal
Brook House, Reeves Way, John Wilson Business Park, Chestfield, Whitstable, CT5 3DD
GF board
The two MP's I've written to re: the prescription changes have said they will look in to this and be in touch.
Below is the reply I received back from the EKPCT and my response. Sorry if I ramble on but ......
Dear Ms Milton.
Thank you for your email. These new changes have been rolled out across the south east of England and all Primary Care Trusts in the region have agreed this policy. I have copied your email to our Medicines Management department for a more detailed response. I do appreciate that this comes at a difficult time financially for us all.
Since we have now had a few calls and contacts from coeliacs and their families on this subject I made a point of checking my local supermarket (Tescos in Cheriton) to see what gluten free products were available. I did find a very good range and I looked particularly at a 500g packed of pasta spirals. The gluten free ones cost £1.55 – Tescos own wheat flour ones are on offer at the moment and cost 98p and Napolini cost £1.15. So I will agree with you that they are more expensive, but not hugely so. Diabetics do not get any foodstuffs on prescription and neither do nut-allergy patients, and both categories certainly have to make considerable adjustments to their diet to deal with their chronic illness; this may have a bearing on the recent changes to the provision of gluten free products.
I will get back to you with a more thorough response when I have had guidance from Medicines Management.
Best wishes,
Liz Coleman
PALS Manager, NHS Eastern and Coastal
Brook House, Reeves Way, John Wilson Business Park, Chestfield, Whitstable, CT5 3DD