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Pharmacists have raised alarms that “one of the most severe” instances of medication shortages is impacting cancer patients.
Creon, a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), is essential for digestion and is vital for patients with pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, and chronic pancreatitis. It is believed that over 61,000 patients in the UK depend on this medication.
According to the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), some patients are reportedly “skipping meals” to conserve their supply due to a lack of availability.
A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care stated that there are “European-wide supply issues,” and they are “collaborating closely with the industry and the NHS” to alleviate the impact on patients.
Without access to this drug, patients begin to lose weight and strength, diminishing their resilience to treatments like chemotherapy.
Some experts have estimated that shortages might persist through next year.
To address this, the Department of Health and Social Care has prolonged a serious shortage protocol for Creon, which has been in effect for a year.
This protocol indicates concerns over the medication’s scarcity and permits pharmacists to provide alternative drugs, although they highlight that other medications are also hard to find.
A department spokesperson indicated that the “European-wide supply issues” stem from constraints in manufacturing.
‘An Added Layer of Stress’
The National Pharmacy Association reported that over 75% of members surveyed felt the current methods for managing shortages were insufficient.
Some noted that patients were skipping meals and traveling great distances in pursuit of their medications, according to the NPA.
One member described it as the “most severe stock shortage” they had ever encountered.
BBC News brought attention to this issue in February when a woman reached out mentioning her husband’s inability to digest food without Creon, a concern echoed by leading pancreatic cancer specialists and advocacy groups in a letter to the Prime Minister.
They emphasized that the absence of PERT can have a “devastating impact” on individuals’ lives, urging for a national strategy to confront the shortage.
Alice, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2023, initially received 15 boxes of Creon capsules per month to assist with chemotherapy tolerance. She now receives only six or seven, needing to forgo snacks.
At 64, she expressed that the shortage has significantly impacted her mental health, stating, “Each day I’m balancing what to eat; whether to have a substantial meal or take my supplements adds an extra layer of stress as I try to rebuild my life following this diagnosis.”
‘Taking Desperate Measures’
Alfie Bailey-Bearfield from Pancreatic Cancer UK stated that the charity has been voicing concerns to the government and suppliers for over a year, emphasizing the need for official intervention to enhance supply.
“Thousands affected by pancreatic cancer depend on PERT tablets at every meal to digest food and absorb nutrients—a basic necessity that many take for granted,” he expressed.
“It’s absolutely unacceptable that they are resorting to desperate measures that jeopardize their health, wellbeing, and treatment eligibility,” he added.
Dr. Leyla Hannbeck, CEO of the Independent Pharmacies Association, noted that it has become exceedingly challenging for her members to acquire supplies from wholesalers.
“The shortages of Creon have persisted for so long, yet no effective strategies have been implemented by officials to streamline processes for pharmacies and patients while ensuring the availability of this vital product,” she commented.
“Instead, they prolong the current system.”
A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the “frustration and distress” caused by these medicine supply issues for both patients and care providers.
They mentioned that “European-wide supply challenges” with Creon result from limited raw ingredients and manufacturing capacity. “We are working closely with industry and the NHS to mitigate the impact on patients and resolve these issues as swiftly as possible,” they assured.