Information about the supply of Creon 25,000, Nutrizym and Pancrex

Hello, I am Lynne, a specialist pancreatic cancer nurse. This blog is explains problems with the supply of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). We are aware that there are currently problems with the supply of Creon^® 25,000. We have also been made aware of some problems with the supply of Nutrizym^® and Pancrex^®. These are all brands of PERT.

PERT is a capsule you take with food that helps to replace the enzymes your pancreas would normally make. They help you to digest your food and absorb all the calories and nutrients from it.

Why is there a supply problem?

The company that produces Creon has warned of a temporary shortage of Creon 25,000. The companies that make Nutrizym and Pancrex have also had shortages as people have switched to these brands, and they can’t keep up with demand. The company that makes Creon is called Viatris, Zentiva makes Nutrizym, and Essential Pharmaceuticals Ltd makes Pancrex. Viatris have told us that they are working hard to sort out these issues.

There may be some areas in the UK not affected by this shortage, so it may be that you aren’t affected at all.

What can I do?

If you take Creon 25,000 and are affected by this shortage, there are also Creon 10,000 capsules. You can use these safely to make up your dose. You would need to take more capsules to make up your normal dose. For example, if you normally take 75,000 with your meals (so three 25,000 capsules normally) you may need to take eight 10,000 capsules. This may seem a lot to take in one go. Spread them out during your meal. You can also use a mixture of 25,000 and 10,000 if you have both capsules.

You can also switch to one of the other brands, and use different brands to make up your dose. You will need to speak to your GP to get a prescription for these. Read more detailed information about using different brands of PERT.

It is a good idea to put in your prescription requests 2 weeks earlier than usual to give the pharmacist time to get your PERT. Be aware that pharmacies may only supply a maximum of one month’s supply at  time, so that supplies last longer.

If your normal pharmacy doesn’t have supply of your PERT, you could ask them to try calling the company that makes your PERT to have more stock sent. Check back in a couple of days as we understand pharmacies are restocking with fresh supplies regularly. You could also try calling other pharmacies in the area to see if they supply.

Read more about the supply problems, and what to do if you are struggling to get your PERT.

Get support with your PERT

If you are unsure what this means for you, please get in touch with your dietitian, hospital team or GP for advice. You can also contact our specialist nurses on the Support Line for information and support.

We understand that you might feel worried by the thought of not being able to get your usual PERT prescription. Please don’t feel you need to stockpile by getting extra supplies, as this this will cause further shortages. Supplies are being regularly restocked, so shortages should only last for a short time.

Action we’re taking on access to PERT

We know that access to PERT is very important for people with pancreatic cancer. And we know that problems accessing PERT is very stressful and worrying. We are working hard to make sure key organisations are treating these problems as a priority, and taking urgent action to address the situation.

We have met with the UK Government and Viatris, the main PERT supplier to discuss the supply issues and their plans to address these. We will continue to put pressure on  the  government and the NHS across the UK to make sure that they urgently address these problems.

Remember, you can get information on taking PERT from our specialist nurses on our Support Line. You can get in touch by email or pick up the phone and call us free on 0808 801 0707.

Read more detailed information about the supply problems and things you can do if you are affected.

Thanks for reading the blog, I hope you’ve found it helpful.

Lynne