Cancer patients at risk as drug shortage hits 60,000

Many are unable to eat without essential pill that aids digestion

- BY MARTIN BAGOT Health Editor

THOUSANDS of cancer and cystic fibrosis patients are being hit by critical shortages of a drug that helps them digest food, with some even forced to skip meals.

Pharmacists are warning some patients are only eating once a day to ration their supplies of Creon.

Sufferers of chronic pancreatitis are also among the estimated 60,000 people who rely on the drug.

A National Pharmacy Association poll of 300 dispensaries found 96% were having trouble supplying Creon, which is subject to the Government's serious shortage protocols (SSP).

One pharmacist said it was the worst stock shortage they had ever dealt with.