If you or someone you love has been recently diagnosed with coeliac disease, you could be eligible to receive gluten free foods on prescription. Simply select your country of residence, and, if you live in England, fill in your postcode to check if your area is prescribing.
Your country is prescribing gluten free foods*. Request your Glutafin Taster Box by clicking the button below to sign up.
* Please note: local policies are constantly updated, and issuing a prescription is at the discretion of your GP.
Getting a diagnosis of coeliac disease can be quite challenging. The only treatment for coeliac disease is to follow a strict gluten free diet, and that means making some significant changes to what you eat.
Fortunately, in many areas of the UK, help is at hand in the form of gluten-free on prescription. That means that you could get a range of gluten free foods from your pharmacy for as little as £2 per week, or even get them for free if you qualify for free prescriptions.
In this guide, we’ll explain who is eligible for gluten free food on prescription, what you can get and how to go about getting it. First, let’s take a look at gluten free prescriptions across the UK.
In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, anyone with a formal diagnosis of coeliac disease qualifies for a range of foods that are gluten free on prescription. This includes bread, flour mixes, pasta, pizza bases and more. In England, gluten free food on prescription is limited to bread and flour mixes, and in some areas, there is no provision for prescription gluten free foods at all.
To check the availability of gluten free prescriptions in your area, enter your postcode here.
As discussed above, the specific foods included as gluten free on prescription vary between the home nations. Wherever you are based, your allocation of gluten free on prescription is allotted in units per month.
The number of units you are allocated depends on where you live, your age and your gender. For example in England children under ten and women over 18 get 8 units, while children aged 11-18 and men over 18 get 12 units. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, you will be entitled to more units due to the wider range of products available. The unit allocation will also change to take into account factors such as pregnancy and breast feeding.
You can find out more about gluten free on prescription units at Coeliac UK.
Different foods count as different numbers of units, for example:
Once you’ve got your formal diagnosis of coeliac disease, and you’ve established what gluten free food is available on prescription in your area, it’s time to place your order. But exactly how do you order foods like gluten free white bread on prescription?
To order gluten free on prescription, just follow these four simple steps:
Your healthcare team will be able to advise you on what exactly is available in your local area and how many units Coeliac UK advise for your age and gender. Availability changes all the time, and internet sources are often out of date, so check with your GP or dietitian for details of the current situation in your area.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, your GP will issue your prescription for gluten free food. In Scotland, they will register you with the Gluten Free Food Service
As soon as you have your diagnosis, you can order a free taster box packed full of samples of our delicious range of gluten free foods on prescription. It’s your chance to try them before you make your first order.
You order gluten free prescriptions just like any other prescription at your local pharmacy. Our gluten free prescription request form will help you with orders for our delicious range of foods. Unless you are exempt, you will need to pay, so it is well worth considering a prescription pre-pay certificate, as this will cut the cost considerably. Some pharmacies offer a free delivery service, which makes ordering gluten free on prescription even easier.
Here at Glutafin, we take great pride in baking our fresh gluten free bread to order, so you need to know when to put your order in:
Q: Can I get Glutafin bread on prescription?
A: Yes, Glutafin offers a wide range of fresh and long life bread and bread rolls on prescription, including our new sourdough-recipe Glutafin Gluten Free Select Fresh White Loaf, Glutafin Gluten Free Select Fresh Brown Loaf and Glutafin Gluten Free Select Fresh Seeded Loaf.
Q: How much gluten free food can I get on prescription?
A: That depends on your location, your age and your gender. Where gluten free on prescription is available, it is based on a system of units, allowing you to choose which products you want. Your GP or dietitian will tell you what you can get.
Q: What if my GP practice in England says no?
A: Unfortunately, the provision of gluten-free food on prescription varies widely across England, creating a ‘postcode lottery’. If you live in an area with no provision, you will have to buy your gluten free foods.
Q: Do I have to pay for gluten free food on prescription?
A: Yes, in England, unless you are under 16 (18 in full-time education), over 60, pregnant or exempt on health grounds. You pay per item, with each different food counting as one item, so all bread would be just one charge, but a mix of bread and flour mix would be two charges, and so on. You can save money with a prescription prepay certificate. All prescriptions are free of charge in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
If you’re eligible, and your local area provides it, then ordering tasty gluten free foods to support your gluten free diet is quick and easy. Check out the tasty range of gluten free breads and other foods available on our website, and place your order with your pharmacist today.
Remember, if you have any questions about getting Glutafin on prescription, or you need any other advice about living with coeliac disease, check out our website or contact our friendly team today.
If you or someone you love has been recently diagnosed with coeliac disease, you could be eligible to receive gluten free foods on prescription. Simply select your country of residence, and, if you live in England, fill in your postcode to check if your area is prescribing.
Your country is prescribing gluten free foods*. Request your Glutafin Taster Box by clicking the button below to sign up.
* Please note: local policies are constantly updated, and issuing a prescription is at the discretion of your GP.
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