Health minister Baroness Merron last week (June 5) addressed the shortage of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) drug Creon, stating that “while some supply constraints remain, predominantly with the higher-strength product, Creon stock is regularly being delivered to pharmacies”.
“I believe that we are looking at this very seriously,” she said during a House of Lords debate, but added that “to be honest, we cannot prevent all medicine shortages”.
Her comments came after the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) revealed just days before that 96% of members have experienced “challenges supplying” cancer drug Creon, with some calling it “the ‘worst stock shortage’ they have ever had to deal with”.
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Pharmacies warned of “patients skipping meals, rationing doses and travelling distances of over 30 miles” to get hold of the medication, as well as “hours hunting stock” and “difficulties in supplying PERT alternatives”, it said last week.
“I totally accept that patients may have concerns,” Merron said, adding that the government has “worked closely to keep in communication with patients to assure them that they will not be going without the medication they need”.
She stressed that it continues “to work on the long-term supply resilience of Creon” and that in the meantime, “alternative products and unlicensed imports are also available”.
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But she also claimed that “the supply situation has improved since last year” and seemed to suggest that there is in fact no shortage of Creon.
“If any noble Lords are aware of real-life examples of shortages, I would be grateful to hear about them, because we believe that we have made the arrangements and I can reassure [you] that these very important medicines are being provided to those who need them,” she said.
Merron was responding to a question from Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick on what the Department of Health and Social Care (DH) is doing to “address the shortage of Creon”.
Pharmacist flexibility
Baroness Ritchie also asked Baroness Merron to “outline what consideration has been given by the government to provide a national plan to address shortages and to support patients with alternative care” given the “struggles that pharmacies are facing”.
“Guidance has been issued to the NHS on prescribing available alternatives and utilising serious shortage protocols (SSPs) to limit quantities dispensed, with actions for integrated care boards (ICBs) to ensure that patients are not left without Creon or an alternative,” Merron responded.
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The government is “currently examining options around pharmacists’ flexibilities, including how any risks could be managed”, she said, adding that she hopes this “gives some reassurance” to Baroness Ritchie.
Meanwhile, the NPA’s warning came after the government last month extended two SSPs for Creon until November 21.
