NPA assists launch of NHS gluten-free food supply toolkit

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has helped to launch a new toolkit for NHS commissioners, which outlines the benefits of reviewing gluten-free food supply measures for coeliac disease sufferers.

Released in cooperation with the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and Coeliac UK, the kit gives guidance on how NHS repeat dispensing arrangements and pharmacy-led supply schemes can improve the supply of gluten-free foods.

By sourcing these foods directly from community pharmacies, the workload for GP practices can be minimised, while cost savings of between five and 11 million pounds a year could be unlocked.

A review of supply arrangements along these lines has already commenced in Northamptonshire and Cumbria, resulting in major savings and positive feedback from GPs.

Dr Fayyaz Chaudhri, a GP at Maryport Health Services, said: "There is a real issue to address in ensuring the supply of gluten-free foods is cost effective … and I believe that this toolkit needs to be rolled out across the country."

This comes after the organisation assisted in the production of a guide to identifying good local sources of clinical information earlier this month.