Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy: Shortages
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will convene a stakeholder roundtable to help tackle the shortage of Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy medication with (a) manufacturers, (b) patient advocacy groups and (c) other relevant stakeholders.
Answered by Karin Smyth
There are no current plans to convene such a roundtable. The Department is in regular discussion with the suppliers of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) on the latest stock availability and the actions that are being taken to mitigate the supply issue that is affecting the whole of the United Kingdom. Through these discussions, we have managed to secure additional volumes for 2025 for the UK. The Department has also reached out to specialist importers who have sourced unlicensed stock to assist in covering the remaining gap in the market.
In the longer term, the Department has had interest from non-UK suppliers of PERT wishing to bring their products to the UK and, along with colleagues in the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, we are working with these potential suppliers; if authorised these products could further diversify and strengthen the market. The Department will continue to meet with all suppliers to understand what more can be done to add further resilience to the UK market.
In December 2024, the Department issued additional management advice to healthcare professionals. This directs clinicians to consider the unlicensed imports when licensed stock is unavailable and includes actions for integrated care boards to ensure local mitigation plans are put in place and implemented.
The Department meets regularly with the affected patient advocacy groups and charities to ensure they are kept informed on the latest supply picture and any communications issued.
The Department will continue collaboration with clinicians and representatives from the impacted patient advocacy groups and charities so that they are informed on the supply situation and the mitigation actions being taken.
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