Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) is essential for people with pancreatic cancer, neuroendocrine cancer, pancreatitis and cystic fibrosis. 

As the intermittent shortages of PERT continues across the UK, it’s important that all GPs and pharmacists have accurate, expert guidance to support patients during this challenging time.

We teamed up with Pancreatic Cancer Action, Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Neuroendocrine Cancer UK and Guts UK to deliver a free evening webinar on the PERT shortage guidance on 18th September.

Designed for GPs and pharmacists, the event explored what to do if a patient is running low or cannot get PERT. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask your questions to a panel of specialists.

Watch the recording and view the slides 

CPD Member certification

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:

  • 6.00 – 6.05pm: Welcome and introduction – Rachel Richardson, Specialist Nurse, Pancreatic Cancer UK
  • 6.05 – 6.10pm: Personal experiences of the PERT shortages (video)
  • 6.10 – 6.35pm: PERT shortage guidance for GPs and pharmacists – Mary Phillips, Senior Specialist HPB Dietitian, Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
  • 6.35 – 6.55pm: Q&A panel
    • Mary Phillips, Senior Specialist HPB Dietitian, Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
    • Ade Williams, Superintendent Pharmacist and Director of the M J Williams Pharmacy and lead Pharmacist at the Bedminster Pharmacy, Bristol
    • 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
  • 6.55 – 7.00pm: Close

Who is this event for?


This session is suitable for GPs and pharmacists. It is also relevant for other healthcare professionals working in primary care with people with pancreatic cancer.

What will I get from attending the event?


  • Increase your knowledge and understanding of the PERT shortages
  • 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

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?

Click the button below and you’ll be taken to the post-event page where the recording and slides are available to view.

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 

CPD Member certification

  • Four things we’ve learnt about immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer

    Four things we’ve learnt about immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer

    Our Grand Challenge award researchers explored the best way to use immunotherapy alongside other promising new treatments for pancreatic cancer. Here ...

  • NHS launches new initiative to identify people with diabetes at risk of pancreatic cancer

    NHS launches new initiative to identify people with diabetes at risk of pancreatic cancer

    We're proud to have worked with the NHS to develop a new case-finding pilot, which could help improve the early detection of pancreatic cancer and ena...

  • Letter demanding investment delivered to all UK nations in memory of Tam

    Letter demanding investment delivered to all UK nations in memory of Tam

    We united with Isla Gear, taking a tour of all four UK nations to hand in our open letter and a petition calling for early diagnosis of pancreatic can...