An update on the PERT shortages

PERT is vital for people with pancreatic cancer to digest food, maintain a healthy weight, and live well. Over the last year and a half, there have been intermittent shortages of PERT due to manufacturing issues and lack of ingredients to make PERT.

We know from people affected how stressful this can be.  

That’s why our key focus has been pushing the Government, NHS and PERT manufacturers to prioritise tackling the shortages.  

What have we been doing about PERT shortages?

We have taken a number of actions over the last year including:  

• Educated healthcare professionals. Since October 2023, we have delivered five PERT-focused webinars attended by over 1,000 healthcare professionals. Following our latest event, 94% reported an increase in their knowledge, 91% gained practical tips and confidence, and 87% planned to improve their practice. Our next webinar is scheduled for June 2026.

• Hosted an emergency event in Parliament. In February 2025, 104 MPs attended our emergency event to show support for ending the shortages. 64 MPs signed our open letter urging stronger government action, prompting a response from the Minister of State for Health.   

• Secured national media coverage. We generated more than 285 pieces of coverage across major outlets including the Sunday Times, the Guardian, the i Paper, Mail Online and LBC. BBC Health Editor Hugh Pym attended our parliamentary event, leading to national coverage on BBC Breakfast, News at One and online.  

• Provided up-to-date web information. Working with specialist dietitians, we developed online guidance to help people manage supply issues. Since September 2023, this information has been accessed by over 49,000 people.  

• Supported people through our Support Line and webinars. Our specialist nurses continue to help people manage symptoms during the shortages. We also ran a webinar for people with pancreatic cancer and their loved ones on the importance of PERT, who needs it and how to take it. 

What actions has the Government taken?

Because we’ve kept pushing, the Government has taken several key actions to help manage the shortages:  

• In August 2025, the Government published a new medicines supply strategy, including measures we have long called for. These include allowing pharmacists to switch to different brands or strengths without needing a new prescription and giving GPs live information about supply levels during shortages.  
• New rules mean pharmacists can only give one month’s supply at a time and can offer a different PERT product if your usual brand isn’t available, without needing a new prescription first.  
• Local health systems in England must now have plans in place for situations where patients cannot get PERT from their usual pharmacy or GP. 

• NHS guidance has been shared widely with NHS trusts, GPs and pharmacies to support people affected by shortages.  

• The Government continues to work with Creon, Nutrizym, and Pancrex manufacturers to make sure supplies are regularly restocked. They are also working with additional manufacturers from other countries. 

• GPs and pharmacists can order imported PERT, which means that everyone should be able to get the PERT they need, but it might be a different brand.  

What is the current supply situation?

Because of our work, the situation is improving. The UK Government, PERT manufacturers and people affected by pancreatic cancer all tell us that the supply situation is more stable.

We have been told that supplies of all strengths of Creon, Nutrizym and Pancrex should stay steady throughout 2026.

This means we expect fewer ups and downs in availability over the course of the year. There will also be new manufacturing facilities in early 2027 to improve supply further.  

What more can be done?

Despite these improvements, we know that some people may continue to find it difficult to get PERT. Through listening to the experiences of those affected by the shortages, especially in cases where the situation may have got worse, we are building a clearer picture of what’s happening. 

We’ll keep pushing for improvements by providing government officials with a better understanding of where issues remain, and the devastating impact this has on the pancreatic cancer community. Hearing from you directly will help us do this. If you feel comfortable doing so, please share your experiences with us by emailing policy@pancreaticcancer.org.uk. 

In the long term, more needs to be done to make access to PERT easier and more reliable for people affected by pancreatic cancer in the future, so shortages don’t happen again. Although there will be new manufacturing facilities next year, we also need a more reliable supply of raw materials for PERT. 

PERT is made from pork products and no alternative raw material currently exists. The underlying cause of the shortages is the limited supply of these materials due to changes in diets and the breeding of leaner pigs. Research into non-pork alternatives would be an important step toward preventing future shortages. We are continuing to work with the Government and pharmaceutical companies to find a sustainable solution. 

Where to find additional support and information?

If you are having problems getting PERT, our specialist nurses are only a phone call away. To speak to a nurse, call our Support Line on 0808 801 0707 or email nurse@pancreaticcancer.org.uk. 

While we are unable to access PERT for you directly, we can provide information and advice on how to manage your symptoms and offer tips for talking to your doctor or pharmacist. 

You can find more information about the supply issues on our blog, which we update regularly as new information becomes available. We also have detailed information about how to manage if you are short of PERT.