National Creon shortage

[Luke1971]

Is anyone else experiencing major problems getting hold of Creon? There have long been slight issues, but the 25000 capsules have been unavailable nationally since mid-February 2024. I am assured that this won't be forever - and I can usually track down the 10000s - but it is a hugely worrying problem for those of us who need this for the rest of our lives and can't eat without it. Any tips gratefully received.

[Peter 55]

It's a pain isn't  it. I use an online pharmacy,  and last year they were taking a couple of weeks to come through. In January  I got the creon tablets by return,  and I assumed things had resolved themselves.  Yet I'm  still waiting for the February  order, so clearly not. Fortunately  our local chemist  had some 10,000 ones in stock  to see me through

 

When they can't  access an item, you can request a barcode that let's you fill the prescription  at any pharmacy. What I found useful is that Boots have a facility to check stock levels at all their local pharmacies, and I managed to get two bottles of 25,000s through that. Be warned though that one I tried was supposed to have stock, but didn't,  so phone first. The website gives you the phone numbers

 

https://www.boots.com/online/psc/

[Peter 55]

Update - my 25,0000 tablets are on their way

[Ollie B]

Apologies for such a late response. Like both of you I've had periods where Creon 25000 were unavailable (it's happening again now) and I've been reduced to necking dozens of the 10000 every day. When this happened last year, a dietician at my hospital wrote to my GP and asked them to prescribe Nutrizym 22000 as an alternative. Apparently it contains the same enzymes as Creon. The GP did this and it was a really helpful stop-gap until the Creon 25000 became available again. I noticed that my GP surgery knocked it off my repeat prescription list at this point - it made me wonder whether it was more expensive than Creon. Anyway I'll be asking for this again whilst Creon 25000 is currently in short supply. Hope this help.

[Peter 55]

Thanks Ollie, that's  useful to know. I'm  ok at the moment though, just managed to commandeer South Yorkshire's  supply of 25000's thanks to the Boots search facility!

[Luke1971]

Thanks for all your responses. Following its appearance in the national news (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy737x4rry1o), I wrote to my MP about the issue too, and he submitted a Parlimentary question. The response (nothing new: don't panic, it's complicated, it won't be forever, there are alternatives) was as follows:

 

We are aware of supply issues with three pancreatic enzyme replacement therapies: Creon 10,000 gastro-resistant capsules; Creon 25,000 gastro-resistant capsules; and Nutrizym 22 gastro-resistant capsules. We understand that these are due to limited availability of active pharmaceutical ingredients, and manufacturing constraints in producing the volumes required to meet demand. The Department has issued guidance to healthcare professionals regarding treatment of patients while there is a disruption to the supply of these pancreatic enzyme replacement therapies. We are having regular conversations with the suppliers of these products to ask that they expedite deliveries and increase production forecasts, and to confirm that they are taking action to address the root causes of the issues, to ensure continuity of supply. We are also working with specialist importers to source unlicensed imports from abroad.
Whilst we can't always prevent supply issues, we have a range of well-established tools and processes to mitigate risks to patients. These include close and regular engagement with suppliers, use of alternative strengths or forms of a medicine to allow patients to remain on the same product, expediting regulatory procedures, sourcing unlicensed imports from abroad, adding products to the restricted exports and hoarding list, use of Serious Shortage Protocols, and issuing National Health Service communications to provide management advice and information on the issue to healthcare professionals, so they can advise and support their patients.

 

[Luke1971]

Update to the above post: I just spoke to my local pharmacist, who repeated the governmental statement almost verbatim, but added one crucially worrying piece of information: these issues are expected to last until 2026.

[Support Team]

Hi all

 

We know that there are currently problems with the supply of brands of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), including Creon, Nutrizym and Pancrex.

We have information about what to do if you are having problems getting your PERT, including some tips for speaking to the pharmacy.
https://www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/news-and-blogs/information-about-the-supply-of-creon-25000/