Post by Silly Yak on Mar 2, 2011 19:40:42 GMT
FAQs on Gluten Free Policy - February 2011
1. Why has the PCT made restrictions on the type of gluten free products
available on prescription?
The Decision was made by the South East Coast Primary Care Trust (SEC PCT) Alliance
Regional Commission board in December 2010 which covers PCTs in Kent Sussex and
Surrey. PCTs within the South East Coast currently spend over £2.3 million pounds a year
on gluten free foods with additional costs for administration and delivery charges. There were
two main reasons why the restrictions have been made; the cost effective use of NHS
resources and the equity of the supply of dietary products.
i) Cost effective use of NHS resources
a) Products
Gluten free products are more expensive than gluten containing products but the NHS is
charged significantly more for gluten free products than those available direct to patients.
There is no obvious reason as to why prescribable items cost more than double the
supermarket price of similar items and we would welcome any discussions with
manufacturers or patient groups (who often have links with industry by offering advertising
and sponsorship opportunities) who could explain this.
We accept gluten free foods cost more than those containing gluten which is why staple
foods can continue to be supplied on prescription but it seems reasonable that coeliac
patients should purchase some of these products themselves.
The higher price charged to the NHS by suppliers compared to supermarket prices may
actually be holding prices artificially high. By removing this distorting factor the market for
gluten free foods should be more attractive for manufacturers to produce suitable products at
competitive prices.
b) Delivery charges
Items are available without delivery costs from supermarkets. Where patients choose to
order an item through the internet, delivery charges range from no charge to around £3-£4
per order.
Delivery and administration charges to the NHS for items delivered to community pharmacy,
outside of the stock items held by wholesalers, are from £10 to £40 per item.
When items are supplied on prescription they cannot be delivered direct to the patient but
must be delivered to the pharmacy/dispensing doctor. Additional charges are therefore
incurred but do not explain why charges to the NHS are so high.
The most effective supply system for the NHS is for goods to be delivered to community
pharmacies and dispensing doctors as a stock line held by local wholesalers. This allows the
pharmacy/dispensary to order only the amount required without additional charges.
Again the SEC PCT Alliance would welcome discussions with manufacturers or patient
groups to reduce delivery and administration charges but the NHS cannot justify these costs.
1. Why has the PCT made restrictions on the type of gluten free products
available on prescription?
The Decision was made by the South East Coast Primary Care Trust (SEC PCT) Alliance
Regional Commission board in December 2010 which covers PCTs in Kent Sussex and
Surrey. PCTs within the South East Coast currently spend over £2.3 million pounds a year
on gluten free foods with additional costs for administration and delivery charges. There were
two main reasons why the restrictions have been made; the cost effective use of NHS
resources and the equity of the supply of dietary products.
i) Cost effective use of NHS resources
a) Products
Gluten free products are more expensive than gluten containing products but the NHS is
charged significantly more for gluten free products than those available direct to patients.
There is no obvious reason as to why prescribable items cost more than double the
supermarket price of similar items and we would welcome any discussions with
manufacturers or patient groups (who often have links with industry by offering advertising
and sponsorship opportunities) who could explain this.
We accept gluten free foods cost more than those containing gluten which is why staple
foods can continue to be supplied on prescription but it seems reasonable that coeliac
patients should purchase some of these products themselves.
The higher price charged to the NHS by suppliers compared to supermarket prices may
actually be holding prices artificially high. By removing this distorting factor the market for
gluten free foods should be more attractive for manufacturers to produce suitable products at
competitive prices.
b) Delivery charges
Items are available without delivery costs from supermarkets. Where patients choose to
order an item through the internet, delivery charges range from no charge to around £3-£4
per order.
Delivery and administration charges to the NHS for items delivered to community pharmacy,
outside of the stock items held by wholesalers, are from £10 to £40 per item.
When items are supplied on prescription they cannot be delivered direct to the patient but
must be delivered to the pharmacy/dispensing doctor. Additional charges are therefore
incurred but do not explain why charges to the NHS are so high.
The most effective supply system for the NHS is for goods to be delivered to community
pharmacies and dispensing doctors as a stock line held by local wholesalers. This allows the
pharmacy/dispensary to order only the amount required without additional charges.
Again the SEC PCT Alliance would welcome discussions with manufacturers or patient
groups to reduce delivery and administration charges but the NHS cannot justify these costs.