Gluten free food on prescription in Northern Ireland

I live in Northern Ireland

Gluten free alternatives to everyday staple foods which are essential to a healthy balanced diet are available on prescription. Prescriptions are free in Northern Ireland so you won’t pay for your gluten free food on prescription.

Gluten free alternatives to everyday staple foods which are essential to a healthy balanced diet are available on prescription.

Prescriptions are free in Northern Ireland so you won’t pay for your gluten free food on prescription.

Gluten free food on prescription in Northern Ireland

Flour Mixes

All-purpose flour substitutes and part baked in white and fibre – for all your baking needs

Pizza Bases & Pasta

Part baked pizza base and a selection of white and fibre pasta shapes

Breakfast Cereals

A selection of fortified breakfast cereals and ‘pure’ oats

Crackers & Biscuits

Savoury biscuits and crispbread; plain sweet biscuits (on prescribed in exceptional circumstances)

Bread

available in white and fibre and part baked

A monthly allowance of gluten free foods has been suggested by Coeliac UK and healthcare professionals. This is measured in units and differs on age, gender and where you live.

AGE GROUP Number of units
Child 1 - 3 years 10
Child 4 - 6 years 11
Child 7 - 10 years 13
Child 11 - 14 years 15
Child 15 - 18 years 18
Male 19 - 59 years 18
Male 60 - 74 years 16
Male 75+ years 14
Female 19 - 74 years 14
Female 75+ years 12
3rd trimester pregnancy Add 1 unit
Breastfeeding Add 4 units

Ref: Gluten-Free foods – a revised guide 2019

You can make up your monthly allowance with different foods of your choice.

1 unit

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

1 (250g) pack of
pasta

1 (200g) pack of
crispbread/crackers

1.5 unit

1 (300g - 500g) pack of
breakfast cereal

1 (500g) pack of
Pure Oats

2 units

1 (500g) pack of all-purpose mix

1 (250g) pack of
pasta

  1. Make an appointment with your GP

    Your GP or dietitian will explain how many units of food you are entitled to each month.

    Top tips:

    Juvela offers newly diagnosed coeliacs a free starter pack; this allows you the opportunity to try a selection of gluten free foods from the range before deciding which ones you would like on prescription. Please give us a call or apply online for a pack.

    It may help to estimate how much gluten free food you would use in a typical month, eg how many slices of bread or bowls of porridge. Remember to include the flour you might use in cooking and baking.

  2. Choose your foods

    Once you have tried the products in your starter pack and decided which you would like to receive on prescription, use our handy request form (included in the pack) to help your GP set up your prescription.

    Top tip:

    Calculate the number of units and check this is in line with your monthly allowance.

  3. Next Steps

    Take your prescription to any pharmacy who will order the gluten free foods for you; they will let you know when your order is ready for collection (usually within 48 hours).

    Most prescriptions are repeated monthly without needing to see your GP; check with your pharmacy that this is the case.

    Top tip:

    Fresh bread has set ordering and delivery days, which your pharmacy should be familiar with. For further information, have a look at the fresh bread section on our website.

  4. Making changes to your prescription

    This will vary depending on your surgery, but can usually be done with a quick call to your GP surgery to make any changes or to add a new product to your prescription.

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