14 May 2007

Supporting the Need for Greater Awareness of Coeliac Disease

Juvela, the leading provider of gluten-free products on prescription, and UniChem, have joined forces to support Coeliac Awareness Week (14-20 May), with a promotion to help raise awareness of coeliac disease and help earlier diagnosis of this serious life-long medical condition.

500 free awareness packs are being offered to all UniChem customers, containing a variety of information on coeliac disease and gluten free diets, plus a sample of Juvela gluten-free products. The pack also contains a specially created awareness poster ’Could this be you?’ which highlights how some of the symptoms commonly associated with IBS could also be symptoms of coeliac disease.

“The symptoms of coeliac disease can easily be thought to be due to IBS.” says Dr Sohail Butt, a GP and member of Coeliac UK’s Medical Advisory Board. “Nowadays, more and more patients are presenting with a range of milder symptoms such as diarrhoea, bloating and abdominal pain, symptoms very similar to IBS. Getting the correct diagnosis is key, as the longer diagnosis is delayed, the longer that people will feel unwell and the greater the risk of other complications such as coeliac disease-related osteoporosis. Pharmacists are an important link in the chain, and can be instrumental in helping patients gain a correct diagnosis as they are regularly asked about IBS symptoms and relief,” he says.

Meera Sharma, UniChem Professional Services Manager, comments: “It is excellent that pharmacy is able to use its unique position within the community to raise awareness of coeliac disease. As pharmacists continue to explore ways in which they can widen their role as healthcare professionals, the provision of support and information for these conditions is a great way for pharmacy to offer its services to patients.

“UniChem is delighted to be supporting Juvela in this campaign and we hope that the promotion acts as a useful tool to raise awareness of coeliac disease.”

Pharmacists can order packs by contacting their local UniChem customer services teams quoting PIP code 6800494.

Coeliac UK will be running a range of activities during Coeliac Awareness Week including a reception at the House of Commons on Tuesday 15 May where they will be asking MPs to sign an Early Day Motion to support greater awareness and earlier diagnosis of coeliac disease. This will be followed by an exhibition on Wednesday 16 May at Portcullis House.

Coeliac disease is now well and truly on the political agenda with the creation of an All Party Parliamentary Group on Coeliac Disease (APPG). This was followed in February by the first ever debate on coeliac disease in the House of Commons. A similar debate occurred in the Scottish Parliament.

This initiative could not have been more timely, following the recent actions of some PCTs to restrict gluten-free prescribing. Speaking during the debate, Health Minister, Rosie Winterton MP, emphasised the importance of gluten-free prescribing[1} and stressed that it should be based on individual clinical needs.

For further details on Coeliac UK’s Coeliac Awareness campaign, as well as full transcripts of both parliamentary debates, please visit www.coeliac.co.uk.

For more information please contact:
Kate Cornmell, Communications Consultant to Juvela: 01727 760884 - katecornmell@ntlworld.com
Sanam Conway, Communications Executive, 0208 974 4045