More than 61,000 UK patients with pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, and chronic pancreatitis are facing severe shortages of Creon, a vital digestive medicine.

Pharmacists have warned that this represents "one of the worst" examples of medicine shortages currently affecting the country.

The pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy helps patients digest food and is essential for their survival.

Without it, patients lose weight and strength, reducing their ability to cope with treatments such as chemotherapy.

The pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy helps patients digest food

Some patients are now "skipping meals" to ration their medication due to the shortage, according to the National Pharmacy Association.

The crisis has forced cancer patients to make desperate choices about when and what to eat while managing their treatment.

Alice from Birmingham was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2023 and initially received 15 boxes of Creon capsules monthly to help her tolerate chemotherapy.

She can now obtain only six or seven boxes and is having to skip snacks.

The 64-year-old said the shortage had profoundly affected her mental health. She told the BBC: "Each day I'm trying to balance: what shall I eat, shall I have a more substantial meal, shall I take my supplements and that creates an extra layer of stress and worry whilst I'm trying to put my life together again after having this diagnosis."

One pharmacist described it as the "worst stock shortage" they had ever dealt with. More than three-quarters of National Pharmacy Association members surveyed felt current arrangements for managing the shortages were inadequate.

The Department of Health and Social Care has extended a serious shortage protocol for Creon which has already been in place for a year.

Some experts have predicted shortages continuing until next year

This allows pharmacists to give patients alternatives, though they argue other drugs are also in short supply.

A department spokesperson acknowledged "European-wide supply issues" caused by manufacturing supply constraints and said they were "working closely with industry and the NHS" to mitigate the impact on patients. The spokesperson said they knew "how frustrating and distressing" medicine supply issues can be for patients and clinicians.

Some experts have predicted shortages continuing until next year. The supply issues stem from "a limited availability of raw ingredients and manufacturing capacity constraints" across Europe.

Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, said it was very difficult for members to obtain supplies from wholesalers.