A survey of 572 people by Pancreatic Cancer UK in 2024 found eight out of 10 people (82%) had struggled to obtain their usual Pert prescription on more than one occasion, almost one in five (19%) had frequently gone without taking Pert and nearly three-quarters (71%) were taking a lower dose than they needed or had altered their diet.
“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.
Shortages of the medication which allows people with pancreatic cancer to digest food must be urgently addressed, the charity Pancreatic Cancer UK has said.
Pancreatic Cancer UK said the consequences of going without Pert, which is also known by the brand names Creon, Nutrizym and Pancrex in the UK, or not taking the correct dose can be very serious.
Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (Pert) provides the enzymes people affected by pancreatic cancer need to absorb nutrients.
