Paul Elcombe, 62, from Kent, takes Creon three times a day to help digest his food after having his pancreas removed two years ago.
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The grandpa-of-two has turned to Facebook in a desperate attempt to get more supplies since he hasn’t been able to get any from the chemist since Christmas.
“Without this medicine, I can’t eat. I’ll waste away and end up dying,” he said.
Conservative MP Andrew Stephenson said to Parliament this month the Government was “aware” of “ongoing intermittent supply issues” of Creon and is “exploring ways” to “manage this issue”.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has since initiated what is known as a serious shortage protocol (SSP) for Creon – which it does when it deems there is a serious shortage of a specific medicine.
Read more on drug shortages
It means pharmacists are able to refer patients back to their doctor or another pharmacy if they don’t have the medicine in shock.
I’m terrified every time I take a pill, as each time I do, I know I’m one step closer to running out
Paul Elcombe
After Whipple’s surgery in 2022, Paul was left unable to make the enzymes that help absorb food in the stomach.
“If I don’t have Creon with every meal, the food I eat will go straight through me, and I won’t get any of the nutrients,” he explained.
The supply of pills Paul is currently relying on was sent to him as a gift from another patient he found on Facebook.
An inscription on the medicine box reads: “Hi Paul, now you can eat, enjoy.”
The transport officer has visited several different pharmacies over the last six months but has been unable to replenish his at-home stock.
Instead, he has been forced to restrict himself to one meal a day—dinner—to try to make his medicine last longer.
“I’m terrified every time I take a pill, as each time I do, I know I’m one step closer to running out,” he said, “it’s an absolute living nightmare.”
Paul is set to run out of this new supply in just five weeks.
“I’m scared for my children and my grandchildren – I don’t want them to lose me,” he said.
Since cutting down his meals, Paul said he has lost weight and feels constantly unwell.
“I’m shattered and feel like I have flu all the time,” he said.
“I feel dizzy and weak, which makes working very difficult.”
“I have no quality of life at all,” he added.
‘REALLY WORRIED’
Alfie Bailey-Bearfield of Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: “We are really worried about the impact of intermittent shortages of Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy (PERT).
“PERT is essential for people with pancreatic cancer as insulin is for people with diabetes, and difficulties obtaining an adequate supply can cause distress and anxiety.”
He added: “People with pancreatic cancer rely on this vital medication to digest food, maintain a healthy weight and ultimately, live well, and be well enough to have treatment.
“Not having enough can significantly impact symptom control and people’s daily quality of life.”
If you or a loved one are struggling as a result of the Creon shortage, Pancreatic Cancer UK has a specialist nurse who are experts in pancreatic cancer and can help you through this.
To speak to a nurse, call the charity’s support Line on 0808 801 0707 or email nurse@pancreaticcancer.org.uk”
What is Creon?
CREON is a type of Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy (PERT) that replaces enzymes the pancreas would normally make.
The enzymes come in capsules that you take with food.
These help you to digest your food by breaking down carbohydrates, fats and proteins in your food.
Most people with pancreatic cancer will need to take PERT.
People who need PERT will take it for the rest of their life, and the pancreas will not start making the enzymes again.
Source: Pancreatic Cancer UK
MAJOR DRUG SHORTAGES
The latest medicine supply issue suggests medicine shortages in the UK are going from bad to worse.
There have also been ongoing problems with the supply of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) drugs, ADHD medicines, antidepressants and, most recently, insulin.
A new medicines report suggested “critical” drug shortages, are putting Brits health at risk.
Many patients are forced into “pharmacy bingo” and travel from one to the next to try and get their prescription filled.
Janet Morrison, chief executive of Community Pharmacy England, who published the report, said: “The medicine supply challenges being faced by community pharmacies and their patients are beyond critical.
“For some patients, not having access to the medicines they need could lead to very serious consequences, even leaving them needing to visit A&E.
“Pharmacies are doing everything they can to find solutions for all their patients, but are powerless to resolve national and global supply issues.”