A GRANDFATHER has been forced to eat just one meal a day to make his life-saving medicine last as the UK faces a major shortage of the medicine.
Paul Elcombe, 62, from Kent, takes Creon three times a day to help digest food after having his pancreas removed two years ago.
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The grandfather of two turned to Facebook in a desperate attempt to get more supplies as he hasn’t been able to get any from the pharmacy since Christmas.
“Without this medicine I can’t eat. I will waste away and end up dying,” he said.
Conservative MP Andrew Stephenson told Parliament this month that the government was “aware” of Creon’s “ongoing intermittent supply issues” and is “exploring ways” to “manage this issue”.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has since initiated what is known as a severe shortage protocol (SSP) for Creon – which it does when it considers there is a serious shortage of a particular medicine.
This means pharmacists can refer patients back to their doctor or another pharmacy if they are not in shock.
I’m terrified every time I take a pill because every time I take it I know I’m one step closer to finishing
Paulo Elcombe
After Whipple surgery in 2022, Paul was unable to produce the enzymes that help absorb food in the stomach.
“If I don’t take Creon with every meal, the food I eat will pass right through me and I won’t get any of the nutrients,” he explained.
The supply of pills Paul currently relies on was sent to him as a gift from another patient he found on Facebook.
An inscription on the medicine box reads: “Hi Paul, now you can eat, enjoy.”
The transport manager visited several different pharmacies over the last six months, but was unable to replenish his stock at home.
Instead, he was forced to restrict himself to one meal a day – dinner – to try to make his medication last longer.
“I’m terrified every time I take a pill, because every time I take it I know I’m one step closer to finishing,” he said, “It’s an absolute nightmare.”
Paul is expected to run out of this new supply in just five weeks.
“I’m scared for my children and grandchildren – I don’t want them to lose me,” he said.
Since reducing his meals, Paul said he has lost weight and constantly feels unwell.
“I’m devastated and I feel like I have the flu all the time,” he said.
“I feel dizzy and weak, which makes work very difficult.”
“I have no quality of life,” he added.
‘VERY CONCERNED’
Alfie Bailey-Bearfield, from Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: “We are really concerned about the impact of intermittent shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT).
“PERT is essential for people with pancreatic cancer as insulin is for people with diabetes, and Difficulties in obtaining an adequate supply can cause distress and anxiety.”
He added: “People with pancreatic cancer depend on this vital medicine to digest food, maintain a healthy weight and, ultimately, live well and be well enough to receive treatment.
“Not having enough can significantly impact symptom control and people’s daily quality of life.”
If you or a loved one are experiencing difficulties due to the Creon shortage, Pancreatic Cancer UK has a nurse who specializes in pancreatic cancer and can help you with this.
To speak to a nurse, call the charity’s helpline on 0808 801 0707 or email nurse@pancreaticcancer.org.uk.”
What is Creon?
CREON is a type of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) that replaces the enzymes that the pancreas would normally produce.
Enzymes come in capsules that you take with food.
They help you digest food by breaking down the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in food.
Most people with pancreatic cancer will need PERT.
People who need PERT will take it for the rest of their lives and the pancreas will not start producing the enzymes again.
Source: Pancreatic Cancer UK
MAJOR DRUG SHORTAGE
The latest drug supply problem suggests that the UK’s medicine shortage is going from bad to worse.
There have also been ongoing problems with the supply of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medications, ADHD medications, antidepressants and, most recently, insulin.
A new medicines report has suggested that “critical” medicine shortages are putting Britons’ health at risk.
Many patients are forced into “pharmacy bingo” and travel from place to place to try to get their prescriptions filled.
Janet Morrison, chief executive of Community Pharmacy England, which published the report, said: “The medicines supply challenges facing community pharmacies and their patients are more than critical.
“For some patients, not having access to the medications they need can have very serious consequences, leaving them even having to go to the emergency room.
“Pharmacies are doing everything they can to find solutions for all their patients, but they are powerless to solve national and global supply problems.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
