Karen Andrews, 62, from Calne, in Wiltshire, takes Creon – a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy – and without it is unable to digest her food properly.
Following an operation for a pre-cancerous pancreatic cyst in 2020, she said supplies had been erratic, particularly last year when at one point she was unable to secure any at all.
Although the situation had improved recently, when she went to collect her latest prescription her usual strength was unavailable.
She was given a lower dose, meaning she now has to take seven tablets a day instead of three.
“It’s a logistical problem for me to plan things on a normal daily basis,” she said.
“Without the Creon, I haven’t got the ability to digest my food properly. I would just have diarrhoea and probably waste away.”
According to Pancreatic Cancer UK, many patients are currently experiencing difficulties obtaining Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy.