1. Gluten-Free food products For use in Coeliac Disease and gluten intolerance

2. Historically availability in supermarkets poor – no longer the case
Gluten-Free food products for use in Coeliac Disease and gluten intolerance
Historically availability in supermarkets poor – no longer the case
A wide variety of gluten-free (GF) products are now available in most supermarkets and online at reasonable prices
Price paid if prescribed under the NHS is significantly higher (2-3 times higher plus handling fees and out of pocket expenses)

3. Gluten-Free food products for use in Coeliac Disease and gluten intolerance
East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen CCGs will only fund treatments or services which meet all of the following principles:
Appropriateness
Effectiveness
Cost-effectiveness
Ethical
Affordability

4. The NHS Constitution commits the CCGs:
Gluten-Free food products for use in Coeliac Disease and gluten intolerance
The NHS Constitution commits the CCGs:
to provide best value for taxpayers’ money and the most-effective, fair and sustainable use of finite resources.
to make decisions in a clear and transparent way

5. Gluten-Free food products for use in Coeliac Disease and gluten intolerance
In East Lancashire CCG spent £205,998 on gluten-free products through the NHS, and Blackburn with Darwen CCG £110,000. This can be re-invested into alternative patient services
The CCGs plan to undergo a patient engagement exercise in the coming weeks
Proposal is to stop commissioning GF products through the NHS based on:
Range of products are now available from supermarkets
Cost is comparative to non-GF products
Patients to be encouraged to avoid certain products such as pizza bases, bread and pasta and to eat healthier choices: fruit and vegetables, potatoes, rice, fish etc

6. Engagement Proposal Online survey (4 weeks) Focus groups
Promotion via media, social media, and web
Briefing to PPGs, Healthwatch, and councillors