asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the hardship resulting from the recent withdrawal of the facility for those with coeliac disease to obtain gluten-free biscuits on their medical cards; and if he will restore this facility.
Written Answers. - Gluten-free Biscuit Supply.
236.
Earlier this year a review of the range of food items available on the GMS was carried out by a group established by GMS (Payments) Board.
The group examined the range of food products available on the GMS taking retail price, clinical importance and usage into account. The group recommended the removal from the GMS of a number of items which could not be considered to form a basic and essential part of patient diet. Therefore, gluten-free biscuits and crackers, and a number of pasta products, among others, were removed from general availability on the GMS list.
The products removed are low cost items, readily available in supermarkets and retail pharmacies. Health boards do, of course, provide financial assistance towards the cost of requisites which are not available on the GMS scheme, if there is genuine financial hardship being incurred in their purchase. Anyone who considers that the purchase of these items is causing them hardship should contact their local health board office to make application for assistance.
I am satisfied that these arrangements will avoid any possibility of hardship being incurred by coeliac patients.