Patients skip meals amid critical shortage of key drug

CANCER patients are being hit by a critical shortage of a key drug, while some people are only eating once a day to ration supplies, pharmacists have warned.

- 

The ongoing shortage of Creon, which is needed by patients with pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis, means some are also travelling more than 30 miles to get hold of supply, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) said.

Creon is a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (Pert) which helps people digest food and absorb its nutrients. It is thought more than 60,000 patients in the UK need it.

An NPA survey of 300 pharmacies found 96% were having trouble supplying Creon, with 89% reporting difficulties in supplying Pert alternatives.