Post by kickingfrog on Feb 17, 2013 12:12:01 GMT
Posted by Lola on 17/2/2013
GF board
After reading a recent post highlighting changes that have been made in Lothian area on prescribing guidelines I contacted coeliac uk. Inwanted to know if they were involved in this decision to limit to 2 suppliers of juvela and glutafin and asked about what would happen if theses options weren't suitable for a patient. Here is a quote from their response
"We have attended meetings in Lothian when they were reviewing their policy and have at these meetings highlighted the importance of access to gluten-free food on prescription. We highlighted concerns of there only being two brands to choose from, and in particular the concerns for people who have additional food intolerances resulting in these brands not being suitable. Lothian advised that they have a first and second choice based on Juvela and Glutafin but will prescribe other ACBS approved gluten-free products in cases where these brands are not suitable. In response to these conversations additional sentences were added to their guidelines to say;
� dietitians may recommend other products on the ACBS list on the basis of nutritional need or where growth problems are identified, the reasons for this should be documented
� Dietary Specials bread should be prescribed for those with a lactose intolerance."
So although there are only two choices to be prescribed initially it appears that if there is a dietary need to prescribe other acbs approved products then GPs will be able to.
One thing that I have learned from this is that there is vast inconsistencies across health board areas on who can get what products. It appears that I have been very lucky up until this change to have been able to get such a vast choice.
GF board
After reading a recent post highlighting changes that have been made in Lothian area on prescribing guidelines I contacted coeliac uk. Inwanted to know if they were involved in this decision to limit to 2 suppliers of juvela and glutafin and asked about what would happen if theses options weren't suitable for a patient. Here is a quote from their response
"We have attended meetings in Lothian when they were reviewing their policy and have at these meetings highlighted the importance of access to gluten-free food on prescription. We highlighted concerns of there only being two brands to choose from, and in particular the concerns for people who have additional food intolerances resulting in these brands not being suitable. Lothian advised that they have a first and second choice based on Juvela and Glutafin but will prescribe other ACBS approved gluten-free products in cases where these brands are not suitable. In response to these conversations additional sentences were added to their guidelines to say;
� dietitians may recommend other products on the ACBS list on the basis of nutritional need or where growth problems are identified, the reasons for this should be documented
� Dietary Specials bread should be prescribed for those with a lactose intolerance."
So although there are only two choices to be prescribed initially it appears that if there is a dietary need to prescribe other acbs approved products then GPs will be able to.
One thing that I have learned from this is that there is vast inconsistencies across health board areas on who can get what products. It appears that I have been very lucky up until this change to have been able to get such a vast choice.