Information about the supply of Pancrease®
Specialist nurse, Lynne, provides information following an update about the supply of Pancrease® in November 2023.
Hello, I am Lynne, a specialist pancreatic cancer nurse. This blog is about the supply of Pancrease®.
Pancrease is a brand of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT).
Normally the pancreas produces enzymes to help digest (break down) food. But pancreatic cancer can affect this, causing problems with digestion. PERT are capsules you take with food to replace the enzymes your pancreas would normally make. This helps you digest your food.
We have heard from Janssen, the company that makes Pancrease, that it will stop making it this year (2023).
What does this mean for me?
This means that if you take Pancrease you will not be able to get it any more.
There are several other brands of PERT available: Creon®, Nutrizym®, or Pancrex®. If you normally take Pancrease, you will be able to switch to one of these other brands. Speak to your dietitian, nurse or GP about this. You will need a prescription for the new brand. They will be able to give you information and advice about the dose you will need to take to help you digest your food.
Get support with your PERT
If you have any questions or concerns about this, please get in touch with your hospital team or our specialist nurses on the Support Line. You can also read more about taking PERT.
We understand that you might feel worried about not being able to get your usual capsules. Make sure you ask for help and support. If you have a dietitian, give them a call. Your medical team or GP will also be able to give you advice.
Our specialist nurses on our Support Line can also provide support. Get in touch by email or pick up the phone and call us for free on 0808 801 0707.
Thank you for reading this blog, I hope you’ve found it helpful.
Lynne
