**Cancer Patients Face Severe Challenges Amid Ongoing Creon Shortage**
Thousands of cancer patients across the UK are contending with an unprecedented shortage of a vital medication, Creon, as the crisis deepens and supplies remain worryingly scarce. The drug is not only crucial for those affected by pancreatic cancer, but also supports individuals suffering from cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis. Industry experts have described the current situation as the most severe shortage these patients have ever experienced.
The impact of the Creon shortage is being felt nationwide, with patients reportedly going to great lengths to secure the medication they need to maintain their health. According to new data from the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), a staggering 96% of surveyed pharmacies are having trouble obtaining Creon. Even alternative pancreatic enzyme replacement therapies (PERT) are proving difficult to come by, with nearly 9 in 10 pharmacies reporting issues with other brands as well.
Creon is an enzyme replacement therapy designed to help individuals with certain chronic conditions properly digest food and absorb life-sustaining nutrients. It is estimated that over 60,000 patients within the UK require this medication for daily survival. Without sufficient access, many patients face the distressing prospect of skipping meals or rationing their existing supply—actions with potentially serious health consequences.
Reports from pharmacies paint a picture of increasing desperation. Some patients are said to be eating only once per day in order to make their limited doses of Creon last longer. Others are travelling more than 30 miles to try and track down the medication, calling or visiting multiple pharmacies in hopes of finding scarce stock. Pharmacists have been vocal about their struggles as well, with several describing this as the “worst stock shortage” they have ever encountered in their careers.
To try and offset the disruption, the government has prolonged the Serious Shortage Protocols (SSP) for Creon until November. This temporary measure allows pharmacists to dispel smaller quantities than prescribed, where possible, without necessitating patients return to their GP for new scripts. Yet, a significant proportion of pharmacies—81%—believe these emergency provisions are insufficient to address the scale of the shortfall.
Olivier Picard, chairman of the NPA, stressed the wide-reaching implications of the ongoing crisis. “Pharmacies are at the sharp end of medicine shortages, spending hours hunting for stock and supporting frustrated, concerned patients,” Mr Picard noted. He urged the government to spearhead a coordinated national response, warning that the situation “has had a profound effect on patients who depend on Creon to survive and lead a normal life.” He added that highly trained pharmacists should be afforded the discretion to supply safe and appropriate alternatives in times of shortage—a practice not currently common.
Charities have echoed the growing sense of alarm. Alfie Bailey-Bearfield, head of influencing and health improvement at Pancreatic Cancer UK, emphasised the distress caused by the continued shortage. “Thousands of people affected by pancreatic cancer rely on PERT tablets every time they eat just to absorb nutrients—a basic necessity,” he stated. “It’s unacceptable that so many are taking such drastic measures, putting their health and eligibility for treatment at greater risk.”
Mr Bailey-Bearfield revealed that organisations had been raising these issues with government officials and suppliers for over a year, yet progress remained elusive. He called for stronger leadership from the Department of Health and Social Care, including the possibility of sourcing Creon from countries with a surplus if necessary, as a way to relieve the mounting pressure on patients.
In response, a spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the widespread concern, attributing the shortage to “European-wide supply issues” resulting from underlying raw ingredient limitations and setbacks in manufacturing. The department stressed its ongoing commitment to resolve the issue, stating, “We are working closely with industry partners and the NHS to mitigate the impact on patients and resolve the situation as quickly as possible.”
While health officials and pharmacies continue their search for solutions, for many patients and their families, the wait comes with significant anxiety. With the current measures only providing partial relief, there is growing consensus that more decisive government intervention and wider industry cooperation will be required to restore a consistent supply of these critically needed medications.