Post by kickingfrog on Oct 8, 2016 16:08:24 GMT
Improving the Long-Term Care of Patients with
Coeliac Disease whilst Managing NHS Costs
Declan O’Brien, Director general,
British specialist Nutrition Association
Coeliac disease is a serious lifelong
autoimmune condition which if untreated,
or poorly managed, can have serious
implications for an individual’s long-term
health.
Clinical guidelines and policy
statements recommend access to glutenfree
staple foods on prescription.8, 14
However, at a local level the cost of
gluten-free products to the NHs is often
questioned and comparisons made with
the cost and availability of retail products,
which can be misleading.
Wider availability of gluten-free
products in the retail environment is
often given as a reason for the restrictions
being imposed.
Despite an increase in the
incidence of coeliac disease, and an
associated increase in demand for glutenfree
foods, the availability of these
products in the retail environment can
still be lacking, or widely variable, and the
cost remains significantly more expensive
than gluten-containing equivalents.15
Recent research assessing high-street availability
of gluten-free foods found around 40%
of supermarkets surveyed stocked no
gluten-free items with availability in
budget supermarkets and corner shops
being exceptionally poor.16
This is of particular concern when considering
the socioeconomic status of patients
commonly making use of these stores.
Aside from the significant issue around
the cost and availability of suitable
retail-based products, the cost of similar
products supplied to the NHs is frequently
highlighted as an issue.
Whilst it is true there is a cost difference between retail
and prescription gluten-free products, there
are a number of reasons for this. specialist
gluten-free products on prescription are
fortified with key nutrients such as calcium,
iron and B vitamins and have been shown to
make an important contribution to nutrient
intake in this patient group.17
.....
References:
8. British Dietetic Association (BDA) (2015).
Policy statement. gluten-Free Food on Prescription.
Accessed online: www.bda.uk.com (sept 2015).
14. ludvigsson JF, et al (2014).Diagnosis and management of
adult coeliac disease: guidelines from the British society of gastroenterology.
gut; doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2013-306578.
15. singh J, Whelan K (2011).
limited availability and higher costs of gluten-free foods. Journal Hum Nutr & Diet.;
24(5): 479-86.
16. Burden m, et al (2015). Cost and availability of gluten-free foods in the UK: in store and online.
Postgrad med Journal; doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2015-133395.
17. Kinsey l, Burden st, Bannerman E (2008).
A dietary survey to determine of patients with coeliac disease are meeting current healthy-eating guidelines
and how their diet compares to that of the British general population. Eur J Clin Nutr.; 62(11): 1333-42.
www.bsna.co.uk/documents/GFWG-048-15.pdf
Coeliac Disease whilst Managing NHS Costs
Declan O’Brien, Director general,
British specialist Nutrition Association
Coeliac disease is a serious lifelong
autoimmune condition which if untreated,
or poorly managed, can have serious
implications for an individual’s long-term
health.
Clinical guidelines and policy
statements recommend access to glutenfree
staple foods on prescription.8, 14
However, at a local level the cost of
gluten-free products to the NHs is often
questioned and comparisons made with
the cost and availability of retail products,
which can be misleading.
Wider availability of gluten-free
products in the retail environment is
often given as a reason for the restrictions
being imposed.
Despite an increase in the
incidence of coeliac disease, and an
associated increase in demand for glutenfree
foods, the availability of these
products in the retail environment can
still be lacking, or widely variable, and the
cost remains significantly more expensive
than gluten-containing equivalents.15
Recent research assessing high-street availability
of gluten-free foods found around 40%
of supermarkets surveyed stocked no
gluten-free items with availability in
budget supermarkets and corner shops
being exceptionally poor.16
This is of particular concern when considering
the socioeconomic status of patients
commonly making use of these stores.
Aside from the significant issue around
the cost and availability of suitable
retail-based products, the cost of similar
products supplied to the NHs is frequently
highlighted as an issue.
Whilst it is true there is a cost difference between retail
and prescription gluten-free products, there
are a number of reasons for this. specialist
gluten-free products on prescription are
fortified with key nutrients such as calcium,
iron and B vitamins and have been shown to
make an important contribution to nutrient
intake in this patient group.17
.....
References:
8. British Dietetic Association (BDA) (2015).
Policy statement. gluten-Free Food on Prescription.
Accessed online: www.bda.uk.com (sept 2015).
14. ludvigsson JF, et al (2014).Diagnosis and management of
adult coeliac disease: guidelines from the British society of gastroenterology.
gut; doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2013-306578.
15. singh J, Whelan K (2011).
limited availability and higher costs of gluten-free foods. Journal Hum Nutr & Diet.;
24(5): 479-86.
16. Burden m, et al (2015). Cost and availability of gluten-free foods in the UK: in store and online.
Postgrad med Journal; doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2015-133395.
17. Kinsey l, Burden st, Bannerman E (2008).
A dietary survey to determine of patients with coeliac disease are meeting current healthy-eating guidelines
and how their diet compares to that of the British general population. Eur J Clin Nutr.; 62(11): 1333-42.
www.bsna.co.uk/documents/GFWG-048-15.pdf