Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure that GP practices comply with guidance on prescribing gluten-free foods for patients diagnosed with Coeliac disease.

Prescribing decisions are made by the responsible clinician, who is accountable for ensuring that prescribing is clinically appropriate and consistent with national and local guidance. NHS England’s guidance on prescribing gluten-free (GF) foods sets out a national framework for primary care, and integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning arrangements in their areas and for supporting general practices to prescribe in line with that framework, taking account of local population needs.

The national position in England remains that gluten free bread and mixes can be prescribed on the National Health Service for eligible people diagnosed with Coeliac disease. However, ICBs can restrict or end the prescribing of GF food. There are no plans to change the current arrangements or to introduce additional financial support, such as vouchers, for GF food.