Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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992. To ask the Minister for Health if there is any assistance available to persons with coeliac disease to purchase gluten free products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12917/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.

In the current financial environment the Health Service Executive (HSE) faces a continuing challenge to deliver services in a way that will minimise any adverse impact on patients and continue to protect, as far as possible, the most vulnerable citizens. Unfortunately, as a result it has become necessary for the HSE to suspend certain products from its list of items reimbursable under the GMS and other community drug schemes. This includes gluten-free products.

Gluten-free products have become more widely available in supermarkets in recent years and tend to be significantly cheaper than products sold through community pharmacies.

Expenditure on gluten-free foods can be taken into account for tax purposes.