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14/02/2013
Medical Journal Calls For Scrapping Of Gluten Free Prescriptions
Prescriptions of gluten-free food to be scrapped, as they are costly and outdated, a medical journal has said.
With such food now being readily available it should no longer be a medical issue, according to the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin.
However, as some 600,000 people in the UK have coeliac disease – caused by intolerance to gluten found in wheat – the charity Coeliac UK says prescriptions are essential due to the high cost of gluten-free staple foods.
Costing the NHS in England £27m a year the journal, which reviews medical treatment, asks if this type of prescription, asks if this type of prescription is the most up-to-date one.
Prescriptions were introduced in the late 1960s when access to gluten-free foods was limited. These are now available in most big supermarkets.
The NHS health regulator, NICE (The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence), is due to review the best way of treating people with coeliac disease in the most cost effective way later this year.
(H)
With such food now being readily available it should no longer be a medical issue, according to the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin.
However, as some 600,000 people in the UK have coeliac disease – caused by intolerance to gluten found in wheat – the charity Coeliac UK says prescriptions are essential due to the high cost of gluten-free staple foods.
Costing the NHS in England £27m a year the journal, which reviews medical treatment, asks if this type of prescription, asks if this type of prescription is the most up-to-date one.
Prescriptions were introduced in the late 1960s when access to gluten-free foods was limited. These are now available in most big supermarkets.
The NHS health regulator, NICE (The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence), is due to review the best way of treating people with coeliac disease in the most cost effective way later this year.
(H)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A generally dry and bright day with some sunny spells. However, thicker cloud could give patchy rain at first near North Channel coasts, perhaps the odd shower breaking out in the west later in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 16 °C.Tonight:Any showers in the west soon dying out, dry for most with some clear spells. Showery outbreaks of rain could develop across parts of the south overnight. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
