An individual or family in Ireland only has to pay a maximum of €132 (as of Budget 2012) for approved prescribed drugs, medicines and certain appliances for use by that person or household per month. This can include gluten free food if you are a diagnosed coeliac. The threshold may increase or decrease so keep an eye on the Budget.

Once you spend €132 on prescriptions in the pharmacy, further prescriptions are free of charge. Your GP can prescribe items from the General Medical Services Scheme (GMS List) including bread, rolls, bread mixes and flour, pasta, breakfast cereals, pizza bases and baking powder.

• Gluten-free foods prescribed from the list are included under this scheme and can be added into the monthly expenditure.
• You must register for this scheme which you can do in your local pharmacy or by filling in the Drug Payment Scheme application form.
• You must use the same pharmacy for the month as they are not linked for this scheme.
• Further information on this scheme is available from your health board or from the HSE Website
• The GMS List is also printed in the Gluten-free food booklet.