DHSC secures ‘additional volumes’ of pancreatic cancer drug amid shortage

The UK has secured ‘additional volumes’ of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) for 2025 amid ongoing supply issues, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed.

Parliamentary under-secretary at the DHSC Dr Zubir Ahmed said the government had been working with suppliers of PERT – used in the treatment of pancreatic cancer – to help resolve supply issues in both the short and longer term.

‘Through these discussions we have managed to secure additional volumes for 2025 for the United Kingdom, and we are in regular communication with suppliers on expected volumes for 2026,’ Dr Ahmed explained in a written parliamentary response.

The update comes almost five months after pharmacists warned the shortage of PERT medication, Creon, had been the ‘worst stock shortage’ they had ever had to face.

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A survey of 300 pharmacies, published by the National Pharmacies Association (NPA) in June, warned of patients skipping meals, rationing doses and travelling distances of over 30 miles to get hold of supply due to ongoing shortages of the medication.

The survey found that 96% of pharmacies reported challenges supplying Creon, with 89% also reporting difficulties in supplying PERT alternatives.

Two Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) have been in place for Creon 10,000 and 25,000 capsules since May 2024, and in May 2025 were extended until 21 November 2025.

PERT provides the enzymes needed to digest food and absorb nutrients by people affected by with conditions affecting pancreatic function, such as pancreatic cancer, chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis and pancreatic surgery patients.

According to the NPA, pharmacies reported in the summer that some patients were tightly rationing their medication. Examples included patients who were only eating one meal a day to ration their Creon.

Dr Ahmed, who is also the Labour MP for Glasgow South West, said in his statement this week: ‘The Department is aware of ongoing intermittent supply issues with pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) used in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

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‘We have been continuously assessing the availability of all PERT presentations for the duration of the supply disruption and implementing mitigation measures where there are any supply gaps.’

He added that the DHSC has ‘also reached out to specialist importers who have sourced unlicensed stock to assist in covering the remaining gap in the market’.

‘We have widely disseminated comprehensive guidance to healthcare professionals, including National Health Service trusts, general practices, and pharmacies, about these supply issues, which provide advice on how to manage patients whilst there is disruption to supply.’

Dr Ahmed assured that the DHSC would ‘continue to work closely with the manufacturers to resolve the issues as soon as possible, to ensure patients have continuous access to medicines’.

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The parliamentary under-secretary also flagged supply issues with mitomycin 10 milligram and 40 milligram powder for solution injection vials, a type of chemotherapy which may be used in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. He said these would be out of stock until mid-January 2026.

‘Alternative treatments have been sourced, and guidance has been issued to health care professionals with management advice until this issue is resolved,’ he added.