Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if his Department will ensure that people with coeliac disease can continue to get prescriptions for gluten-free foods.

Gluten-free foods are available on National Health Service prescription to patients with established gluten-sensitive enteropathies. The Department provides general practitioners (GPs) and other prescribers with a list of recommended gluten-free products to help patients, including those with coeliac disease, to manage their condition.

Prescribing decisions are a matter for GPs and other prescribers. They should always satisfy themselves that the medicines or other substances they consider appropriate for their patients can be safely prescribed and that patients are adequately monitored.