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Posted: Sun 27th Jul 2025
A new pre-paid card will be rolled out across Wales to give people who receive gluten-free food on prescription greater choice and freedom.
The national gluten-free subsidy card scheme is the first of its kind in the UK.
It will allow those with conditions such as coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis to buy a wider range of gluten-free foods from supermarkets and online, rather than relying solely on prescriptions.
People already receiving gluten-free foods on prescription will be contacted by their local health board as the scheme becomes available in their area.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles said: “For people living with coeliac disease, following a strict gluten-free diet is not a lifestyle choice but a medical necessity.
“We want to de-medicalise the supply of gluten-free foods in Wales, giving people more freedom to access the food they want to eat, more conveniently, to help them to manage their condition.”
The scheme aims to reduce administrative burdens on GPs and pharmacies while making better use of NHS resources.
It has been tested extensively in the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.
Cherylee Barker, who has used the card for six years as part of the pilot, said it has helped her take back control of her diet and manage her condition more easily.
“I was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2007 and quickly realised that maintaining a gluten-free diet would be costly, with limited shopping options and hit-and-miss food choices,” she said.
“I jumped at the chance to join the pilot. I could try new products without feeling financially stretched and take back control of my diet.
“The card empowers me to buy the food I want and make better lifestyle choices.”
Dietitian Alison Jones, who led the pilot, added: “We know that the card provides more choice, flexibility and variety, making it easier for people to manage their gluten-free diets while still providing the support they need.”
Eligible people will be able to choose between continuing with traditional gluten-free food prescriptions or switching to the new prepaid card scheme.
The contactless card operates like a standard prepaid Mastercard and will be topped up every three months.
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