Education Programme

A pharmacy education programme on coeliac disease and the gluten free diet has been developed by the Coeliac Disease Resource Centre. This will further educate pharmacists and pharmacy assistants on the condition, and position them as key contacts for those following a gluten-free diet.

The programme consists of three learning units, with separate and appropriately targeted units for either the pharmacist or pharmacy assistant. A certificate of completion is issued after each unit. The pharmacist's unit has been awarded the National Pharmacy Association Training Seal and the learning hours completed for each unit can contribute to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain requirement to undertake Continuing Education.

Adherence to a gluten free diet is improved if patients have access to prescription foods, have knowledge of the condition and if follow-up care is provided by a healthcare professional. However, follow-up care is not always available, therefore community pharmacists may be the only healthcare professional patients will see regularly.

The pharmacist is in an ideal position to keep their patients up to date with the wide range of gluten- free foods available on prescription and over the counter, to answer queries on the condition and to refer patients to their GP or dietitian for further advice. Access to a range of gluten free foods helps to add variety to the diet and in turn aid compliance.

We would like to invite you to download the learning units by clicking on the appropriate icon or to contact the Coeliac Disease Resource Centre for your own printed copy. Kept to hand in the pharmacy they offer a comprehensive resource invaluable for answering customer's queries.

To receive your certificate of completion please send your assessment and evaluation form to the Coeliac Disease Resource Centre, Glutafin, Unit 3, Rowan House, Sheldon Business Park, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN14 0SQ. If you have any queries while working through the unit please call the CDRC helpline on 01249 466280.