Changes to NHS gluten-free prescriptions

• From 1 April 2026, NHS prescriptions for gluten-free bread and flour mix will stop for people aged 25 and over.
• This change follows a review by the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, which included a six-week listening period in summer 2025. More than 1,400 people shared their views, and this feedback helped shape the final decision.

Why is this change happening

• Many areas of England have already stopped prescribing all gluten-free foods
• Gluten-free foods are now widely available in shops and online and are clearly labelled
• A gluten-free bread mix costs the NHS over £10 per item, compared with around £2.27 in a supermarket
• This change helps the NHS use its limited funding to support essential medical care

What this means for you

• If you are 25 or over, you will need to buy gluten-free bread and flour mixes yourself
• You should continue to follow a strict gluten-free diet

What is not changing

• Children and young people under 25 will continue to receive NHS gluten-free bread and flour mix on prescription
• You can still speak to your GP, pharmacist, or healthcare team for advice
• Medical care and support for coeliac disease will continue
• Prescriptions for other medicines are not affected

Published on 23 February 2026