Many are unable to eat without essential pill that aids digestion

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.

- BY MARTIN BAGOT Health Editor

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.

Olivier Picard, chairman of the NPA, said his members were "spending hours hunting stock and supporting frustrated and concerned patients". He said: "As this distressing survey shows, ongoing supply problems with Creon have had a profound effect on the patients who depend on it to survive and lead a normal life.