Cancer patients unable to get key drug in 'worst shortage ever'
Cancer patients unable to get key drug in 'worst shortage ever'
The drug is used by more than 60,000 people with cancer, cystic fibrosis and other chronic conditions
Empty shelves in a pharmacy
Cancer patients are being hit by a critical shortage of a key drug, while some people are only eating once a day to ration supplies, pharmacists have warned. The ongoing shortage of Creon, which is needed by patients with pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis, means some are also travelling more than 30 miles to get hold of supply, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) said.
Creon is a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (Pert) which helps people digest food and absorb its nutrients. It is thought more than 60,000 patients in the UK need Creon.
An NPA survey of 300 pharmacies found 96% were having trouble supplying Creon, with 89% also reporting difficulties in supplying Pert alternatives. Examples of patients in distress included those eating one meal a day to ration their Creon, people going without medication or travelling long distances and contacting numerous pharmacies in an attempt to find stock.
One pharmacist said this was the 'worst stock shortage' they have ever had to deal with. The Government has extended the current serious shortage protocols (SSP) in place for Creon until November.
This allows pharmacists to supply a reduced quantity of Creon capsules that might be in stock, without having to send a patient back to their GP for a new prescription. The NPA survey also found that 81% of pharmacies felt the current arrangements for managing shortages of Creon were inadequate.
It found pharmacists are still having to refer patients back for new prescriptions for an alternative Pert product, stock permitting, or an unlicensed Creon product. Olivier Picard, chairman of the NPA, said: 'Pharmacies are at the sharp end of medicine shortages, spending hours hunting stock and supporting frustrated and concerned patients.
'As this distressing survey shows ongoing supply problems with Creon has had a profound effect on the patients who depend on it to survive and lead a normal life. It simply cannot be right that in the 21st century patients are skipping meals in order to ration their medication.
'Medicine shortages not only cause huge inconvenience but can risk serious patient safety issues, particular in the cases of Perts including Creon. Although we recognise this situation is complex and not the fault of the Government, it's important they convene a taskforce and a national action plan to tackle this particular shortage given its impact on patients.
'Medicine shortages are all too common so highly trained pharmacists should also be permitted to use their professional judgment to supply alternative medicines – where it is safe and appropriate – in the event of the prescribed version being unavailable.'
Alfie Bailey-Bearfield, head of influencing and health improvement at Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: 'These deeply worrying findings echo the distress and frustration we are hearing from patients and their loved ones across the UK. Thousands of people affected by pancreatic cancer rely on taking Pert tablets every time they eat simply to digest their food and absorb nutrients – something most of us take for granted.
'It's totally unacceptable that they are still taking desperate measures which puts their health, wellbeing and their eligibility for treatment at risk. For over a year, we have been raising concerns with Department of Health and Social Care officials and Pert suppliers, urging them to prioritise solutions that reduce the impact on patients.
'But despite these conversations, progress has been far too slow and patients continue to pay the price. Resolving the shortages demands strong, national leadership from the UK Government. It is critical that they take immediate, decisive action and explore every available option to increase supply, including directly purchasing this vital medication from countries with a surplus.
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'This crisis continues to put people's health on the line, and they cannot afford to wait any longer. The situation is unacceptable and it demands immediate action.'
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: 'We know how frustrating and distressing medicine supply issues can be for patients and the clinicians caring for them. The European-wide supply issues with Creon are caused by a limited availability of raw ingredients and manufacturing capacity constraints.
'We are working closely with industry and the NHS to mitigate the impact on patients and resolve the issues as quickly as possible.'
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