Essential gluten-free foods on prescription

An information guide provided by

UK’s favourite essential gluten-free foods

Gluten-free foods on prescription

This step by step guide takes you through the process of setting up a gluten-free prescription and will answer some frequently asked questions.

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After starting on a gluten-free diet you will feel much better and your symptoms will gradually disappear. Although there is no cure for coeliac disease, if you adhere strictly to the diet

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you will reduce your risk of developing complications and can expect to lead a normal, healthy life.

Dr Sohail Butt, Primary Care Adviser to Juvela

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Why am I entitled to a gluten-free prescription?

You are entitled to receive staple gluten-free food on prescription, as a gluten-free diet is the recognised medical treatment for coeliac disease. Once you have been diagnosed you will discover that there is plenty of help and advice available from healthcare professionals, patient support groups and manufacturers to support you in managing your gluten-free diet.

What are the benefits of a gluten-free prescription?

With a gluten-free prescription you can still enjoy eating all your favourite staple foods such as bread, pasta and cereals knowing that all your essential dietary and nutritional needs are provided for. Access to a regular supply of safe staple foods will also support you in managing your gluten-free diet, regardless of where you live.

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What types of foods are a Gluten-free alternatives of everyday staple foods which are essential to a balanced diet are available on prescription to those medically diagnosed with coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis. These include a selection of breads, rolls, flour mixes, breakfast cereals, pasta, pizza bases and crackers. Manufacturers offer free sample packs to give you the opportunity to try some gluten-free foods before agreeing with your healthcare professionals which ones will be most appropriate to have on prescription. You can then choose to supplement these staple foods with naturally gluten-free foods and free-from products purchased in retail outlets such as supermarkets and online.

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available on prescription? The gluten-free foods available on prescription include Bread & Rolls - a selection of gluten-free bread and rolls available in white and fibre varieties.

Flour Mixes - flour substitutes in white and fibre varieties - suitable for making bread, cakes, pastry and biscuits.

Breakfast Cereals - a selection of fortified breakfast cereals and pure oats (from an uncontaminated source).

Pasta - available in a variety of shapes and textures and white and fibre varieties.

Pizza Bases - part-baked pizza bases ready to top and bake.

Crackers - a selection of savoury biscuits, crackers and crispbread.

Biscuits - a selection of plain sweet biscuits. (Biscuits are only prescribed in exceptional circumstances on clinical advice.) 4

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Find out if you are entitled to a free prescription or how to get a Prescription Prepayment Certificate Who can get free prescriptions? The arrangements for a gluten-free prescription will vary. In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland prescriptions are free. Some people will automatically qualify for a free prescription, for example, children, the over 60’s and those receiving income support. What should I do if I pay for my prescriptions? If you are likely to use more than 3 items of gluten-free food per month then it makes sense to get a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC). This will cover all your staple gluten-free food requirements, as well as any other medicines you may need. An annual PPC will cost £104* or a 3 month PPC will cost £29.10*. You can simply ask your pharmacist for a form (FP95) or apply online: www.nhsba.nhs.uk/1127.aspx The cost of a Prescription Prepayment Certificate will be much less than if you purchase similar staple gluten-free foods through retail outlets.

* Cost of PPC correct as of January 2013

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2

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Find out about your approximate monthly requirements How much food can I order on prescription? Healthcare experts have produced helpful guidelines which suggest the approximate monthly requirements of gluten-free foods a person with coeliac disease needs to maintain a healthy balanced diet. Each food is allocated a unit value - see below for examples of gluten-free units.

1 unit =

OR

1 (400g) loaf of bread/ 1 ( 5x85g)pack of rolls

1.5 units =

OR

1 (200g) pack of crackers

OR

1 (2x180g) pack of pizza bases

1 (250g) pack of pasta

2 units =

OR

1 (300g) pack of breakfast cereal

1 (500g) pack of all-purpose flour mix

1 (500g) pack of pasta

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Choose your group The table below indicates the recommended number of units for the different age and gender groups. Choose the group you fall into.

Age Group

Recommended No. of units

Child Chil Ch ilild d 1-3 1-3 yyears ears ea rs Child Chil Ch ilild d 4-6 4-6 yyears ears ea rs Child C hild hi ld 7-10 7-10 years yea ears rs Child C hild hi ld 11-14 11-1 11 -14 -1 4 years yea ears rs Child C hild hi ld 15-18 15-1 15 -18 -1 8 years yea ears rs

10 11 13 15 18

Male 19-59 years Male 60-74 years Male 75+ years

18 16 14

Female 19-74 years Female 75+ years

14 12

3rd trimester pregnancy Breastfeeding

Add 1 unit Add 4 units

Gluten-Free Food: Revised prescribing guidelines 2011

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www.coeliac.org.uk/revisedprescribingguideline2011

Typical Monthly Prescriptions Here are some examples of how you could make up your monthly requirements with a range of gluten-free foods:

CHILDREN AGED 7-10 3 x loaves of White Bread 3 x packs of Fibre Rolls 1 x pack White Flour Mix 1 x pack of Pasta (500g) 1 x pack of Breakfast Cereal 1 x pack of Pizza Bases This equates to 13 units

MALE AGED 19-59 8 x loaves of Fresh Bread 2 x packs of Fibre Flour Mix 1 x pack of Pasta (250g) 1 x pack of Pizza Bases 1 x pack of Crackers 2 x pack of Breakfast Cereal This equates to 18 units

FEMALE AGED 19-74 2 x loaves of Fibre Bread 2 x packs of White Rolls 1 x pack of White Flour Mix 1 x pack of Fibre Flour Mix 1 x pack of Pasta (500g) 2 x packs of Pizza Bases 1 x pack of Crackers 1 x pack of Breakfast Cereal This equates to 14 units 8

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Setting up a gluten-free prescription How do I estimate what I need? Try and keep a record of how much staple food you eat in a typical month. Think about how many slices of bread, bowls of cereal, pasta, pizzas and crackers you used to eat before being diagnosed. Don't forget to include the flour used in cooking and baking too. To help you get started, we have produced a ‘food diary’ template for you to complete. It also provides examples of approximate portion sizes to help you estimate the most efficient way of using your unit allowance. For a copy of the food diary, simply call our advice line, send us an email or visit our website: www.juvela.co.uk/fooddiary How do I set up my gluten-free prescription? Once you have selected which foods you would like, record your preferences and make an appointment to see your GP. At the appointment your GP will discuss and agree your prescription requirements with you. It may be a good idea to take along your completed food diary. What are the arrangements for collecting my gluten-free prescription? The procedure for ordering and collecting your prescription will vary. Some areas of the country have adopted a pharmacy led supply scheme where you will liaise directly with your local pharmacist. You may need to take your prescription to the local pharmacy and collect it once its ready. This usually is within 48 hours. If you are unsure about the arrangements for collecting your gluten-free prescription ask your GP or pharmacist. 9

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Changing and repeating your prescription How often will I need a prescription? Most people choose to renew or repeat their prescription on a monthly basis. However, you can discuss this with your GP or pharmacist and choose what works for you. You may prefer to receive smaller quantities more frequently. How do I get my prescription repeated? After setting up your gluten-free prescription you can get it automatically repeated each month. The procedure for doing this will vary depending on where you live. If your area offers a pharmacy led supply scheme you can arrange your prescription directly with your pharmacist.

How can I make changes to my prescription?

DETACH FORM HERE

The procedure for making any changes to your prescription will vary depending on where you live. If you are unsure please ask your GP or pharmacist.

TOP TIP

Ask your local Coeliac UK support group to recommend a local pharmacist in your area.

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Essential gluten-free I have chosen the following selection of essential gluten-free foods to make up my monthly unit requirements based on the national prescribing guidelines for gluten-free foods†. My monthly unit requirement is: Name Address

Postcode Phone Prescription Product

Email Pack Size

PIP Code

Unit Value

Quantity

LOAVES & ROLLS Fresh White Loaf

8x400g

322-0217

8*

Fresh Fibre Loaf

8x400g

339-9789

8*

Fresh White Rolls

8x5x85g

355-8871

8*

Fresh Fibre Rolls

8x5x85g

355-6800

8*

White Loaf sliced

400g

074-8590

1

White Loaf unsliced

400g

031-4781

1

Fibre Loaf sliced

400g

074-8632

1

Fibre Loaf unsliced

400g

010-1675

1

White Part Baked Loaf

400g

273-6882

1

Fibre Part Baked Loaf

400g

273-6890

1

White Bread Rolls

5x85g

010-5916

1

Fibre Bread Rolls

5x85g

080-3668

1

White Part Baked Rolls

5x75g

243-7267

1

Fibre Part Baked Rolls

5x75g

262-9020

1

† Gluten-free foods revised prescribing guidelines 2011 *The Juvela Fresh Loaves & Fresh Rolls are supplied in cases of 8 - this equates to 8 units of your monthly allowance.

e foods request form Prescription Product

Pack Size

PIP Code

Unit Value

ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR MIXES White Mix

500g

035-2161

2

Fibre Mix

500g

023-6042

2

Harvest White Mix

500g

247-7875

2

BREAKFAST CEREALS Flakes

300g

371-1652

1.5

Fibre Flakes

300g

371-1660

1.5

Pure Oats

500g

371-1678

1.5

CRACKERS Crispbread

200g

236-6136

1

Savoury Biscuits

150g

310-7893

1

PIZZA BASES & PASTA 2x180g

265-4390

1

Lasagne sheets

250g

280-7972

1

Tagliatelle

250g

319-3497

1

Fibre Penne

500g

332-8010

2

Fusilli (spirals)

500g

280-7980

2

Spaghetti

500g

280-7998

2

Macaroni

500g

280-8004

2

Pizza Bases

I understand that this will cover my staple needs and I can supplement this with naturally gluten-free foods and free-from foods purchased from retail outlets: Signed:

Quantity

Who can I ask for further advice and support? If you need more advice about your prescription, a good place to start is with your pharmacist. Remember that Juvela are always here to help and support you too.

UK’s favourite essential gluten-free foods

JANUARY 2013

If you join Coeliac UK, the charity will provide you with a Food & Drink Directory which contains a full listing of all gluten-free foods available on prescription. Please visit www.coeliac.org.uk or call their helpline on 0845 305 2060