Recent reports have shed light on the challenges faced by cancer patients and others with debilitating conditions due to a shortage of a crucial drug, which has had a profound impact on their lives. Creon, a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (Pert), is essential for digestion but has been in short supply for the past year, with projections suggesting shortages will persist until 2026. It is estimated that over 61,000 patients in the UK require Creon, including individuals with conditions such as pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, and chronic pancreatitis. Concerns have been raised by patients who have had to travel long distances in search of a pharmacy that carries the medication.
The Department of Health and Social Care is collaborating closely with the NHS, manufacturers, and others in the supply chain to address the supply chain issues. Patients reliant on Creon experience weight loss and reduced strength without the medication, impacting their ability to undergo treatments like chemotherapy. A couple from Tonbridge, Kent, Diana and Mick Gibbs, have shared their struggles with obtaining Creon. Mick, who underwent major surgery for pancreatic cancer in 2023, requires Creon for digestion. Diana highlighted the challenges they faced in accessing higher dosages of the medication and expressed concerns about potential shortages in the future.
Bryony Thomas, a resident of Stroud in Gloucestershire, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and now in remission, also relies on Creon for proper digestion. She faced difficulties in sourcing the medication locally, necessitating her mother-in-law to embark on a two-hour journey to obtain it from a pharmacy in Crewe. In a letter to the prime minister, pancreatic clinicians and charities emphasized the adverse impact of the lack of availability of Pert on individuals, stressing that the absence of the drug could lead to severe health consequences. They advocated for a national process for importing Pert to address the shortage of Creon and its alternatives.
Apart from the challenges with Creon shortages, reports have indicated broader issues with drug shortages, causing significant worry and stress among affected individuals. The Cystic Fibrosis Trust highlighted the strain on manufacturing processes and global supply chains due to raw ingredient shortages. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society called on the government to implement a national strategy for managing medicine shortages. With concerns regarding medicine supply issues growing, the National Pharmacy Association sought input from community chemists, revealing that supply problems often resulted in prescription dispensing challenges and patient frustrations. The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the distress caused by medicine supply issues and issued guidance to healthcare professionals to address concerns effectively
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