
Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) is essential for people with pancreatic cancer, neuroendocrine cancer, pancreatitis and cystic fibrosis.
As the intermittent shortages of PERT continue across the UK, it’s important that all health professionals have accurate, expert guidance to support patients during this challenging time.
Following our PERT shortage guidance events last September, we’re back with an update and Q&A on the shortages.
We teamed up with Pancreatic Cancer Action, Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Neuroendocrine Cancer UK and Guts UK to deliver this free lunchtime webinar for all Clinical Nurse Specialists, Dietitians, GPs and Pharmacists supporting people affected by the shortages.
You’ll hear an update on the current and future situation with the shortages, and an update on the importation and distribution process. You’ll then have the opportunity to ask all your burning questions to our Q&A panel of specialists.
Watch the recording and view the slides
Why is PERT so important?
- For people with pancreatic cancer, PERT helps people maintain their weight and strength. It gives people the best chance of tolerating potentially curative treatment and in this way, is often a life-saving intervention. It can also ensure that terminal pancreatic cancer patients’ final months are spent much more comfortably.
- For people with neuroendocrine cancer, whether pancreatic primary or not, PERT can transform lives. Lack of PERT has a debilitating, life-limiting physical and mental health consequence of treatment ineligibility and intolerance, malabsorption, malnutrition, and starvation.
- For people with pancreatitis, PERT can reduce people’s level of severe pain, and prevent distressing digestive symptoms. Not having PERT available results in weight and muscle loss, malnutrition and even starvation.
- For people with cystic fibrosis, PERT allows people to digest their food properly, absorb essential nutrients, and ultimately, thrive in their daily lives.
Agenda
Agenda
- 12.00 – 12.05: Welcome – Jeni Jones, Specialist Nurse, Pancreatic Cancer UK
- 12.05 – 12.10: Lived experience video
- 12.10 – 12.15: Key findings from charity patient surveys – Jeni Jones, Specialist Nurse, Pancreatic Cancer UK
- 12.15 – 12.25: Update on the PERT shortage – Mary Phillips, Senior Specialist HPB Dietitian, Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- 12.25 – 12.40: Importation and distribution process – Julia Powell, Chief Executive Officer, Community Pharmacy Surrey & Sussex, Anna Larkham, Medicines Management Dietitian, Surrey Heartlands ICB
- 12.40 – 13.25: Q&A panel – Chair: Jeni Jones, Specialist Nurse, Pancreatic Cancer UK
- Mary Phillips, Senior Specialist HPB Dietitian, Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Kerry-Lee Watson, CF Specialist Dietitian, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Sian Bentley, Consultant Pharmacist, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust
- Anthony Cunliffe, Macmillan National Lead Medical Adviser and Macmillan Clinical Adviser for London, and Joint Clinical Director, South East London Cancer Alliance
- Ade Williams, Superintendent Pharmacist and Director of the M J Williams Pharmacy and lead Pharmacist at the Bedminster Pharmacy, Bristol
- Julia Powell, Chief Executive Officer, Community Pharmacy Surrey & Sussex
- Anna Larkham, Medicines Management Dietitian, Surrey Heartlands ICB
- 13.25 – 13.30: Close
Who is this event for?
This webinar is designed for Clinical Nurse Specialists, Dietitians, GPs and Pharmacists. It is also relevant for other healthcare professionals working in primary care with people with pancreatic cancer.
What are the learning outcomes?
- Get up-to-date on the current situation with the PERT shortages
- Learn about the importation and distribution process to enable better access to PERT
- Take away practical tips and ideas to support your patients if they are running low or cannot get PERT
- Grow your confidence in supporting patients during this challenging time
Our speakers
Chair: Rachel Richardson, Specialist Pancreatic Cancer Nurse, Pancreatic Cancer UK
Speakers:
- Julia Powell, Chief Executive Officer, Community Pharmacy Surrey & Sussex
- Anna Larkham, Medicines Management Dietitian, Surrey Heartlands ICB
- Mary Phillips, Senior Specialist HPB Dietitian, Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Panel:
- Mary Phillips, Senior Specialist HPB Dietitian, Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Kerry-Lee Watson, CF Specialist Dietitian, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Sian Bentley, Consultant Pharmacist, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust
- Anthony Cunliffe, Macmillan National Lead Medical Adviser and Macmillan Clinical Adviser for London, and Joint Clinical Director, South East London Cancer Alliance
- Ade Williams, Superintendent Pharmacist and Director of the M J Williams Pharmacy and lead Pharmacist at the Bedminster Pharmacy, Bristol
- Julia Powell, Chief Executive Officer, Community Pharmacy Surrey & Sussex
- Anna Larkham, Medicines Management Dietitian, Surrey Heartlands ICB
FAQs
What platform will this event be hosted on?
This event will be held on Zoom Webinar. After you book, you will receive an email via Zoom with the joining details. You can join on a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone – any device with an internet connection.
If you don’t have access to the internet, you can also dial in from a standard telephone.
Will I receive a certificate of attendance?
Everyone who joins the event live on the day will get access to their certificate of attendance upon filling in the feedback form. Certificates are only available to live attendees.
Will the event be recorded?
Yes – where the speakers are happy to be recorded. After the event, we will email all registrants with a link to the recordings and presentation slides. So if you’re unable to join the live session, you will be able to catch up at a later date. For the best experience, we recommend joining live.
How do I watch?
All you need to do is click the link below and you’ll be taken to the post-event page where you can catch up on the event.
Watch the recording and view the slides
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at hpnetwork@pancreaticcancer.org.uk



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