Department of Health and Social Care written question – answered at on 28 April 2026.
Ian Roome
Liberal Democrat, North Devon
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to update national guidance for ICBs on gluten free prescription, including for people on low incomes.
Zubir Ahmed
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health and Social Care
There are no plans to change the current national guidance for integrated care boards (ICBs) on gluten‑free prescribing. In England, gluten‑free bread and mixes may be prescribed for people with coeliac disease, with eligible products listed in Part XV of the Drug Tariff. Prescriptions may be issued following a shared decision between prescriber and patient, taking account of local and national guidance.
Under current legislation, ICBs may restrict product choice or end gluten‑free prescribing where this is appropriate for their population, while meeting their legal duties on equality and reducing health inequalities. As autonomous bodies, ICBs determine local prescribing policies within their allocated resources.
NHS prescription charge exemptions support those with the greatest need. People on low incomes who do not qualify for an exemption can access help through the NHS Low Income Scheme or use prescription prepayment certificates, which allow unlimited prescriptions for a fixed cost.
Yes1 person thinks so
No0 people think not
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Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
