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Post by kickingfrog on Jan 14, 2012 9:59:28 GMT
...Where you have contacted us about your PCT/Health Board restricting your prescription, we have followed up by contacting the PCT/Health Board directly so we can better understand the issues and support the case for people with coeliac diseasewith appropriate action. If necessary, we have then followed this with a letter from Sarah Sleet, Chief Executive, reinforcing the Charity's position on prescribing of gluten-freefoods... . www.coeliac.org.uk/contactingpctsandhealthboards |
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Post by kickingfrog on Jan 15, 2012 17:31:14 GMT
Reply from Coeliac UK re cuts
Posted by AnnC on 12/1/2012
GF board
This was the reply i got from Coeliac uk regarding Shropshire PCT cuts on GF food prescribing.
Hello
Thank you for your recent enquiry.
We have been speaking with a number of Primary Care Trusts across the UK after receiving enquiries from members about access to gluten-free food on prescription. Many of the changes to what is available on prescription are being made by the local Primary Care Trusts. When changes in policy are made the PCTs contact all GPs to advice them on what can be prescribed, whether this be gluten-free foods or other medications. In most cases where changes have been made to gluten-free prescribing all staple items remain on prescription but biscuits and cake mixes are no longer being prescribed. There are a few areas where the policies introduced are much tighter. Thirteen of the PCTs that we have contacted, including Shropshire Primary Care Trust are no longer prescribing fresh bread. The tightest restrictions are in parts of Surrey, Sussex and Kent where only 8 items are available each month from a restricted choice of long life bread and flour. Where the restrictions are tight we have been speaking with the Primary Care Trusts and writing strongly worded letters.
Guidelines were produced in 2004 which give recommendations on the number of units for gluten-free foods that people can have on prescription. This was updated in revised guidance this year. I have attached a copy of the unit recommendations above. You are correct that at 27 he could have 18 units and your husband can have 16 as he is 65.
We feel fresh bread should remain available on prescription. The reasons given for the removal of fresh breads by the PCTs we have spoken to has been due to additional charges being placed and wastage. The cost of gluten-free food on prescription is complex involving manufacturers, pharmacists and wholesalers.
A board called the ACBS (Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances) is a non-departmental public body, owned by the Department of Health. Its job is to recommend to GPs which items can be prescribed on the NHS. They agree the price of the product to the NHS before approving it. This should also take into account delivery charges.
Fresh bread can sometimes be ordered on the NHS as a 'special'. This means that the product is not routinely stocked by the pharmacist or wholesaler and needs to be ordered in. In some cases the pharmacists will order directly from the manufacturer but in other cases they may go via a wholesaler. There are some exceptional cases when the order goes via a wholesaler where additional charges are being placed.
We are speaking with wholesalers, pharmacists and manufacturers to try and find out more about this.
Coeliac UK feels that there are alternative ways for Primary Care Trusts to make cost savings without restricting important gluten-free food on prescription. Pharmacy supply schemes have been introduced in Cumbria which has resulted in positive feedback from patients and healthcare professionals. We are encouraging other Primary Care Trusts to follow suit.
We have sent National Guidelines on gluten-free prescriptions and information on Pharmacy supply schemes to all Primary Care Trusts across the UK and are contacting all PCTs restricting fresh breads in asking for this to be reviewed.
You could contact your local Patient Advise and Liaison Service, which will be based at your local hospital, in order to feedback your comments to the PCT.
Kind Regards
Lorna Gardner
Dietitian
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