This petition was submitted during the 2015–2017 Conservative government

Petition Don't allow prescriptions to stop for dairy free milk in the UK.

Prescriptions for baby-milk and gluten free products will be stopped to save money in Croydon.

According to the CCG it spends £395,000 per year on baby milks and specialist infant formula but under the new cuts baby-milk will no longer be available.

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How are our babies going to cope without the milk?

How are we expected to pay upwards of 25 pounds a tin for baby milk that our babies need to survive, yet we pay for other items such as methadone.

It is not our babies fault and they should not be cut out. They are the next generation!!!

This petition closed early because of a General Election Find out more on the Petitions Committee website

13,152 signatures

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100,000

Government responded

This response was given on 20 February 2017

It is for Clinical Commissioning Groups, through their local prescribing policies, to decide what to limit on prescription.

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It is for Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), through their local prescribing policies, to decide what to limit on prescription

Croydon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has confirmed that its decision to approve recommendations to stop the prescribing of gluten-free products and baby milk were made in the context of the financial pressures the local NHS is facing and the need to make savings in the next financial year.

The CCG undertook public engagement on the proposals prior to making its decision, engaging face to face with over 300 individual local residents, patients and professionals at more than 30 sessions. A total of 346 written responses were received through the online and paper survey. The CCG advises that the response to the prescribing proposals was predominantly positive, with over 70% of respondents agreeing that the CCG should stop providing self-care medications.

Croydon CCG recognises the concerns of those people who currently receive these products on prescription and has advised it will work closely with local communities, Croydon pharmacists and GPs to support people to find affordable alternatives.

Department of Health