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A new pre-paid card will be rolled out across Wales for people who receive gluten-free food on prescription.

The card will allow people with conditions like coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis to access a wider range of gluten-free foods in supermarkets and online, instead of relying only on a prescription.

The National Gluten-Free Subsidy Card Scheme – a UK first – will be rolled out across Wales from the autumn.

People who currently receive gluten-free food on prescription will be contacted by their health board when the scheme goes live in their local area.

People who are eligible will be offered a choice between a traditional prescription for gluten-free food or the new card scheme.

The contactless card works like a standard pre-paid Mastercard and will be topped up every three months.

Jeremy Miles, Wales’ health secretary, 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 will contribute to reducing administrative burdens on GPs and pharmacies, while promoting a more effective use of NHS resources.”

The new card scheme has been trialled in the Hywel Dda University Health Board area, which covers much of west Wales.