PERT Update April 2025:
Our PERT charities collaborative* continues to work with all stakeholders to improve supply and access to Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy (eg Creon, Nutrizym & Pancrex)
A recent response to our joint letter to the Prime Minister, from Karin Smith, Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care) indicates that:
- Viatris (Creon) has confirmed that it has secured additional stock allocation from the US manufacturing site for 2025, increasing availability of Creon for UK patients:
- Both Zentiva (Nutrizym) and Essential Pharma (Pancrex) have secured additional manufacturing capacity.
“Work is ongoing to improve and sustain supply “
– though we note that there are no current plans to undertake a UK wide situation assessment or forecast planning.
According to the Department of Health and Social Care: all Integrated Care Systems or Boards (ICS/Bs) should now have plans in place to address and mitigate PERT shortages: including how to access alternative suppliers. However, it is unclear how many have a plan in place – or whether, where they are in place, how this has been shared across all staff within the system or acted on.
We will be undertaking a further patient survey to assess whether previous difficulties in accessing supply continue or have improved: we will confirm date of survey launch when ready to go!
There is also an updated Position Statement (version 5) from the Pancreatic Society of GB & Ireland containing advice for both patients and healthcare professionals (including prescribers and dispensers): click on image to download as a PDF.
PSGB&I information for Patients PSGB&I information for HCPs
Representatives from Neuroendocrine Cancer UK, Pancreatic Cancer UK, Pancreatic Cancer Action, NIPANC, GUTS UK & the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
For all healthcare professionals only: including clinical staff, dietitians, primary care and pharmacists there is a joint charities webinar scheduled for Tuesday 29th April 2025, 12.00 – 1.30pm via Zoom Webinar: link for further information and how to register is available here