Coeliac Disease and Prescriptions

Liz McInnes Excerpts
Tuesday 1st November 2016

(7 years, 6 months ago)

Westminster Hall
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Rebecca Pow Portrait Rebecca Pow
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Will the Minister give way?

Liz McInnes Portrait Liz McInnes (Heywood and Middleton) (Lab)
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Will the Minister give way?

David Mowat Portrait David Mowat
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First to my hon. Friend, and then to the hon. Lady.

Rebecca Pow Portrait Rebecca Pow
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This is highly relevant. I, too, have been contacted by constituents who have suggested this voucher idea—that the bona fide coeliacs get the staples and so many vouchers a month, not for all their products, but for the bread, pasta and absolute staples.

Liz McInnes Portrait Liz McInnes
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Is the Minister aware that the annual cost per diagnosed patient of prescribing gluten-free food is £180 per year? Weigh that up against the cost of avoiding infertility, bowel cancer and osteoporosis. What is the obvious conclusion for any NHS professional?

Adrian Bailey Portrait Mr Adrian Bailey (in the Chair)
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Order. Before the Minister responds, can I point out that he has been very generous in taking interventions, but the debate has to finish at 4.45 pm?