Government steps in to boost supply of key pancreatic cancer drug

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has taken action to address the shortage of the pancreatic cancer drug, pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT).

This drug helps people with pancreatic conditions such as pancreatic cancer, chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, or after pancreatic surgery, to digest food and absorb nutrients.

DHSC collected additional volumes of the PERT medication, Creon, and is in constant touch with suppliers to overcome the shortage.

This comes nearly five months after the National Pharmacy Association’s (NPA) warning that patients were skipping meals, rationing doses and travelling long distances to procure the medication.

NPA had surveyed 300 pharmacies and 96 percent of them reported Creon shortage, and 89 percent were short of PERT medicines.

Two Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon 10,000 and 25,000 capsules, first issued in May 2024, have been extended until 21 November 2025 as well.

Medicine supplier Viatris said they hope to fulfill nearly 90 to 95 per cent of the usual monthly demand for Creon lipase units until the shortages are sorted.

In a parliamentary response, DHSC undersecretary Dr Zubir Ahmed has assured that the department is assessing the availability of all PERT presentations to address the supply gaps.

“We also reached out to specialist importers who have sourced unlicensed stock to assist in covering the remaining gap in the market,” he added.

The DHSC has also provided guidance to healthcare professionals, including National Health Service trusts, general practices, and pharmacies, about these supply issues, on how to manage patients whilst there is disruption to supply.

Dr Ahmed has also flagged the potential shortage of mitomycin 10mg and 40mg injection vials, a chemotherapy drug used for pancreatic cancer, by mid-January next year, and said alternative treatments have been sourced.