“The Government is discussing ways to make the life of coeliac patients easier and is considering the introduction of new schemes for accessing gluten free products.” This was stated by Parliamentary Secretary for Health Chris Fearne during a visit to the Golden Harvest new gluten-free production line.

Mr Fearne congratulated the company for their investment of over 350,000 euros to build dedicated facilities to produce freshly made gluten-free products.

In Europe the prevalence of coeliac disease is around 1.2% of the adult population. Locally 1200 patients suffer from gluten enteropathy.

In his address, Mr Fearne announced that the Government is currently working with the Directorate for Pharmaceutical Affairs to revise the current entitlement policy for gluten free dietary items in Coeliac Disease.

He stated that thanks to this initiative, patients, who are with a coeliac entitlement document, will be offered more variety of products that address better their different age groups and needs.

Mr Fearne explained that the Government is also reviewing the current system where coeliac patients collect their free gluten-free items centrally from Birkirkara Health Centre. As emerged from consultation meetings held with stakeholders in the field, this system is resulting in a lack of flexibility.

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