Latest news with #OlivierPicard
North Wales Live
02-06-2025
- Health
- North Wales Live
Cancer patients hit by key drug shortage
Patients battling cancer are facing severe difficulties due to a dire lack of the essential medication Creon which over 60,000 UK patients rely on. The shortage has prompted some people to only eat once a day as they ration their supplies, according to warnings from pharmacists. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) said those suffering from pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, and chronic pancreatitis are affected by this shortage and some are travelling over 30 miles in desperate search of the medication. Creon serves as a vital pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (Pert) that helps patients properly digest food and absorb its nutrients. Recent data from an NPA survey of 300 pharmacies revealed a startling 96% are experiencing issues stocking Creon, with 89% also saying they've struggled to provide alternative Pert treatments. Patient hardships reported include cases where individuals have resorted to consuming only one meal a day to make their supply of Creon last longer, as well as people going without medication or travelling across multiple pharmacies to find some. A pharmacist has expressed their concern, labelling this the "worst stock shortage" ever encountered in their profession. In response, the Government has decided to extend the serious shortage protocols (SSP) for Creon up until November. Stay informed on the latest health news by signing up to our newsletter here. These rules allow pharmacists to dispense a smaller number of available Creon capsules without requiring patients to go back to their GP for a renewed prescription. The NPA survey also discovered that a significant 81% of pharmacies believe the current procedures for managing the shortage of Creon fall short of what is needed. The study revealed that pharmacists are still having to redirect patients back for new prescriptions for an alternative Pert product, or an unlicensed Creon product. Olivier Picard, chairman of the NPA, said: "Pharmacies are at the sharp end of medicine shortages, spending hours hunting stock and supporting frustrated and concerned patients. "It simply cannot be right that in the 21st century patients are skipping meals in order to ration their medication. "Although we recognise this situation is complex and not the fault of the Government, it's important they convene a taskforce and a national action plan to tackle this particular shortage given its impact on patients. Alfie Bailey-Bearfield, head of influencing and health improvement at Pancreatic Cancer UK, added: "Thousands of people affected by pancreatic cancer rely on taking Pert tablets every time they eat simply to digest their food and absorb nutrients – something most of us take for granted. "It's totally unacceptable that they are still taking desperate measures which puts their health, wellbeing and their eligibility for treatment at risk. "For over a year, we have been raising concerns with Department of Health and Social Care officials and Pert suppliers, urging them to prioritise solutions that reduce the impact on patients. "But despite these conversations, progress has been far too slow and patients continue to pay the price. The situation is unacceptable and it demands immediate action." A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said: "We know how frustrating and distressing medicine supply issues can be for patients and the clinicians caring for them. "The European-wide supply issues with Creon are caused by a limited availability of raw ingredients and manufacturing capacity constraints. We are working closely with industry and the NHS to mitigate the impact on patients and resolve the issues as quickly as possible."
The Guardian
02-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
UK shortage of critical drug forcing pancreatic cancer patients to skip meals
People with pancreatic cancer are eating only one meal a day because of an acute shortage of a drug that helps them digest their food. Patients with cystic fibrosis and pancreatitis are also affected by the widespread scarcity of Creon, a form of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). People who rely on the drug have also been taking reduced doses to conserve their supplies and travelling more than 30 miles from their home to find it, pharmacists revealed today. Thousands of people with pancreatic cancer need to take PERT tablets and those hit by the shortage are suffering 'distress and frustration', the charity Pancreatic Cancer UK said. The difficulties the Creon shortage is causing patients emerged today in a survey of 300 pharmacies undertaken by the National Pharmacy Association. Almost all – 96% – are struggling to get enough of the medication to meet demand. 'As this distressing survey shows, ongoing supply problems with Creon have had a profound effect on the patients who depend on it to survive and lead a normal life', said Olivier Picard, the chair of the NPA. 'It simply cannot be right that in the 21st-century patients are skipping meals in order to ration their medication. 'Medicine shortages not only cause huge inconvenience but can risk serious patient safety issues, particularly in the case of PERTs, including Creon,' he added. Pancreatic cancer patients who either do not take a PERT or take too small a dose of it can become too sick to have surgery, which is the only potentially curative treatment for the condition, the NPA explained. They may also be less able to withstand the rigours of having chemotherapy and struggle to manage the symptoms of their condition, which can affect their quality of life. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said that the scarcity of Creon in the UK is part of a Europe-wide shortage linked to a lack of the ingredients used to make it and 'manufacturing capacity constraints'. Creon has been in short supply for at least a year. The DHSC last week extended the two serious shortage protocols that have already been in place for it since May last year, covering 10,000 and 25,000 capsule formulations of Creon, until 21 November this year. The protocols are official notifications of a medication being hard to obtain, which allow pharmacists to give patients a smaller quantity of a drug than they usually receive. Alfie Bailey-Bearfield, head of influencing and health improvement at Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: 'These deeply worrying findings echo the distress and frustration we are hearing from patients and their loved ones across the UK. 'Thousands of people affected by pancreatic cancer rely on taking PERT tablets every time they eat simply to digest their food and absorb nutrients, something most of us take for granted. 'It's totally unacceptable that they are taking desperate measures which put their health, wellbeing and their eligibility for treatment at risk,' he added. One pharmacist said the Creon scarcity was the 'worst stock shortage' they have ever dealt with. Pancreatic Cancer UK called on ministers to buy supplies of Creon directly from countries that have a surplus in order to tackle the shortage in Britain. A DHSC spokesperson said: 'We know how frustrating and distressing medicine supply issues can be for patients and the clinicians caring for them. 'The European-wide supply issues with Creon are caused by a limited availability of raw ingredients and manufacturing capacity constraints. 'We are working closely with industry and the NHS to mitigate the impact on patients and resolve the issues as quickly as possible.'
Wales Online
02-06-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Cancer patients hit by key drug shortage
Cancer patients hit by key drug shortage Some patients are travelling more than 30 miles to get hold of Creon Creon helps patients to properly digest food (Image: Getty Images ) Patients battling cancer are facing severe difficulties due to a dire lack of the essential medication Creon which over 60,000 UK patients rely on. The shortage has prompted some people to only eat once a day as they ration their supplies, according to warnings from pharmacists. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) said those suffering from pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, and chronic pancreatitis are affected by this shortage and some are travelling over 30 miles in desperate search of the medication. Creon serves as a vital pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (Pert) that helps patients properly digest food and absorb its nutrients. Recent data from an NPA survey of 300 pharmacies revealed a startling 96% are experiencing issues stocking Creon, with 89% also saying they've struggled to provide alternative Pert treatments. Patient hardships reported include cases where individuals have resorted to consuming only one meal a day to make their supply of Creon last longer, as well as people going without medication or travelling across multiple pharmacies to find some. A pharmacist has expressed their concern, labelling this the "worst stock shortage" ever encountered in their profession. Article continues below In response, the Government has decided to extend the serious shortage protocols (SSP) for Creon up until November. Stay informed on the latest health news by signing up to our newsletter here . These rules allow pharmacists to dispense a smaller number of available Creon capsules without requiring patients to go back to their GP for a renewed prescription. The NPA survey also discovered that a significant 81% of pharmacies believe the current procedures for managing the shortage of Creon fall short of what is needed. The study revealed that pharmacists are still having to redirect patients back for new prescriptions for an alternative Pert product, or an unlicensed Creon product. Olivier Picard, chairman of the NPA, said: "Pharmacies are at the sharp end of medicine shortages, spending hours hunting stock and supporting frustrated and concerned patients. "It simply cannot be right that in the 21st century patients are skipping meals in order to ration their medication. "Although we recognise this situation is complex and not the fault of the Government, it's important they convene a taskforce and a national action plan to tackle this particular shortage given its impact on patients. Alfie Bailey-Bearfield, head of influencing and health improvement at Pancreatic Cancer UK, added: "Thousands of people affected by pancreatic cancer rely on taking Pert tablets every time they eat simply to digest their food and absorb nutrients – something most of us take for granted. "It's totally unacceptable that they are still taking desperate measures which puts their health, wellbeing and their eligibility for treatment at risk. "For over a year, we have been raising concerns with Department of Health and Social Care officials and Pert suppliers, urging them to prioritise solutions that reduce the impact on patients. "But despite these conversations, progress has been far too slow and patients continue to pay the price. The situation is unacceptable and it demands immediate action." A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said: "We know how frustrating and distressing medicine supply issues can be for patients and the clinicians caring for them. Article continues below "The European-wide supply issues with Creon are caused by a limited availability of raw ingredients and manufacturing capacity constraints. We are working closely with industry and the NHS to mitigate the impact on patients and resolve the issues as quickly as possible."
Wales Online
02-06-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Cancer patients unable to get key drug in 'worst shortage ever'
Cancer patients unable to get key drug in 'worst shortage ever' The drug is used by more than 60,000 people with cancer, cystic fibrosis and other chronic conditions Empty shelves in a pharmacy Cancer patients are being hit by a critical shortage of a key drug, while some people are only eating once a day to ration supplies, pharmacists have warned. The ongoing shortage of Creon, which is needed by patients with pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis, means some are also travelling more than 30 miles to get hold of supply, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) said. Creon is a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (Pert) which helps people digest food and absorb its nutrients. It is thought more than 60,000 patients in the UK need Creon. An NPA survey of 300 pharmacies found 96% were having trouble supplying Creon, with 89% also reporting difficulties in supplying Pert alternatives. Examples of patients in distress included those eating one meal a day to ration their Creon, people going without medication or travelling long distances and contacting numerous pharmacies in an attempt to find stock. One pharmacist said this was the 'worst stock shortage' they have ever had to deal with. The Government has extended the current serious shortage protocols (SSP) in place for Creon until November. This allows pharmacists to supply a reduced quantity of Creon capsules that might be in stock, without having to send a patient back to their GP for a new prescription. The NPA survey also found that 81% of pharmacies felt the current arrangements for managing shortages of Creon were inadequate. It found pharmacists are still having to refer patients back for new prescriptions for an alternative Pert product, stock permitting, or an unlicensed Creon product. Olivier Picard, chairman of the NPA, said: 'Pharmacies are at the sharp end of medicine shortages, spending hours hunting stock and supporting frustrated and concerned patients. 'As this distressing survey shows ongoing supply problems with Creon has had a profound effect on the patients who depend on it to survive and lead a normal life. It simply cannot be right that in the 21st century patients are skipping meals in order to ration their medication. 'Medicine shortages not only cause huge inconvenience but can risk serious patient safety issues, particular in the cases of Perts including Creon. Although we recognise this situation is complex and not the fault of the Government, it's important they convene a taskforce and a national action plan to tackle this particular shortage given its impact on patients. 'Medicine shortages are all too common so highly trained pharmacists should also be permitted to use their professional judgment to supply alternative medicines – where it is safe and appropriate – in the event of the prescribed version being unavailable.' Alfie Bailey-Bearfield, head of influencing and health improvement at Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: 'These deeply worrying findings echo the distress and frustration we are hearing from patients and their loved ones across the UK. Thousands of people affected by pancreatic cancer rely on taking Pert tablets every time they eat simply to digest their food and absorb nutrients – something most of us take for granted. 'It's totally unacceptable that they are still taking desperate measures which puts their health, wellbeing and their eligibility for treatment at risk. For over a year, we have been raising concerns with Department of Health and Social Care officials and Pert suppliers, urging them to prioritise solutions that reduce the impact on patients. 'But despite these conversations, progress has been far too slow and patients continue to pay the price. Resolving the shortages demands strong, national leadership from the UK Government. It is critical that they take immediate, decisive action and explore every available option to increase supply, including directly purchasing this vital medication from countries with a surplus. Article continues below 'This crisis continues to put people's health on the line, and they cannot afford to wait any longer. The situation is unacceptable and it demands immediate action.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: 'We know how frustrating and distressing medicine supply issues can be for patients and the clinicians caring for them. The European-wide supply issues with Creon are caused by a limited availability of raw ingredients and manufacturing capacity constraints. 'We are working closely with industry and the NHS to mitigate the impact on patients and resolve the issues as quickly as possible.'
Western Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Health
- Western Telegraph
Patients able to track prescription status with new ‘Amazon-style' service
The new feature will aim to 'tackle the administrative burden' on pharmacies by slashing unnecessary phone calls and visits, allowing staff to spend more time assisting patients. According to NHS England, around 45% of phone calls to community pharmacies are from people chasing prescriptions. Now patients can use the NHS app to track if their medicines are ready to collect or have been despatched for delivery. If patients can track the journey of their food shop, they should be able to do the same with their prescriptions Wes Streeting Dr Vin Diwakar, clinical transformation director at NHS England, said: 'We know that people want more control over how they manage their healthcare and the new prescription tracking feature in the NHS app offers exactly that. 'You will now get a near real-time update in the app that lets you know when your medicine is ready so you can avoid unnecessary trips or leaving it until the last minute to collect. 'The new Amazon-style feature will also help to tackle the administrative burden on pharmacists, so that they can spend more of their time providing health services and advice to patients rather than updates on the status of their prescriptions.' Almost 1,500 high street pharmacies, including Boots, are taking part in the new feature. The service is also expected to expand to almost 5,000 pharmacies over the next 12 months. Health Secretary Wes Streeting added: 'If patients can track the journey of their food shop, they should be able to do the same with their prescriptions. 'By harnessing the power and efficiency of modern tech, we're saving patients time, driving productivity and freeing up hardworking pharmacists to do what they do best – helping patients, not providing status updates.' Boots pharmacy director Anne Higgins said: 'For the first time, when a patient orders their prescription via the NHS app and they've nominated a Boots pharmacy to dispense it, they can view its journey at every key step of the process. 'This will remove the need for patients to call our pharmacy team for updates on their prescription so they can spend more time with patients and deliver vital services like NHS Pharmacy First.' Anything that allows pharmacies to focus on delivering first-class patient care, rather than spending time on phone calls to provide prescription status updates is welcome news Olivier Picard, National Pharmacy Association Responding to the NHS announcement, Olivier Picard, chairman of the National Pharmacy Association, said prescription tracking 'is a game-changer'. 'In many pharmacies, we've seen limited patient uptake of the NHS app largely because this functionality wasn't previously available,' he added. 'Pharmacies want to do all they can to embrace new technology and make the vital services they offer as easy and convenient as possible for patients to access. 'Anything that allows pharmacies to focus on delivering first-class patient care, rather than spending time on phone calls to provide prescription status updates is welcome news. 'It's important that this new prescription tracking feature is quickly made available to all independent community pharmacies, who collectively represent the majority of pharmacies in England. This will help maximise the benefit of the service for patients across the country.' Health service data suggests the NHS app has 37.4 million registered users, with an average of 11.4 million people using it to manage their healthcare every month. The app also allows patients to use a barcode to collect their prescription, while the number of repeat prescriptions ordered through the app increased by 40% to 5.5 million between April 2024 and April 2025.
