AQW 28023/22-27
Miss Nuala McAllister
Alliance Party
North Belfast
Tabled Date: 02/06/2025
Answered On Date: 05/06/2025
Priority Written: Yes
Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to outline the impact of the Europe-wide supply issue of Creon on patients.
Answer:
Medicines are manufactured as part of a highly complex, regulated and global industry; therefore, medicine shortages are not uncommon and can occur for a variety of reasons. Whilst supply issues can’t always be prevented, there are well-established tools and processes to mitigate risks to patients which are agreed UK-wide and locally via medicine shortage management groups. Although Creon® preparations remain available, my Department is aware that the quantities are limited and capped across the UK due to manufacturing constraints until January 2026, which may result in some localised and sporadic supply disruptions. Consequently, several of the well-established tools and processes have been implemented to help mitigate the impact of these disruptions on patients across the UK, including Northern Ireland. This has included providing healthcare professionals with advice and actions to take via National Patient Safety Alerts and recommendations to utilise the services available on the NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) website, including the SPS medicines supply tool. Additionally, Creon® and other pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) products have been added to the restricted export and hoarding list, Serious Shortages Protocols have been issued to community pharmacies for Creon® 10,000 and 25,000 capsules and unlicensed imports have been sourced from other markets. Any patients impacted by this supply disruption should contact a healthcare professional for advice on actions to take.
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