Changes to gluten-free prescribing

Do you currently receive gluten-free foods on prescription? Changes are being introduced from 1 February 2025 to end this prescribing. Instead, we will be focusing our efforts on giving out more information and support for people. Find out more about the changes at: Gluten-free foods prescribing – LLR ICB

Why is this change being made?

These changes are happening for a few reasons:

• The availability of gluten-free foods used to be limited, therefore foods were made available through a prescription.  These products are now more widely available in some supermarkets and online.
• Awareness of Coeliac Disease and Gluten intolerance has improved and there is a general trend towards eating less gluten, so these foods have become more accessible in some supermarkets and online.
• Better labelling on foods means that people are better able to see whether ordinary foods are free from gluten.
• While gluten-free food is still more expensive than equivalent products containing gluten, the price paid by the NHS for gluten-free foods on prescription is still much higher than the supermarket or online prices.

The local NHS appreciates the impact this may have on patients; however, the health service has had to carefully consider health expenditure on gluten-free products along with support for all conditions, balancing it with the clinical risk and patient needs.

It has been a difficult decision to make but it will save the NHS more than £250,000, at a time of significant financial pressure on the health service.

Where can people buy gluten-free food?

Most major supermarkets and many other retailers now stock gluten-free foods, as well as other special diet alternatives, both online and in-store. In addition, improved food labelling now means people are better able to see whether ordinary food products are free from gluten. Further information on labelling can be found on the Gov.uk website.

How can patients complain about the decision regarding gluten free products?

Please contact the local Integrated Care Board rather than your GP practice should you wish to complain about the decision or the process.

• Email: llricb-llr.beinvolved@nhs.net
• Telephone: 0116 295 3405
• Write: Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board, Room G30, Pen Lloyd Building, Leicestershire County Council, Leicester Road, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8TB