To ask the Minister of Health to outline the extent of Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy availability.

Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapies are a group of prescribed drugs used to treat pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (inability of the pancreas to produce enzymes). There are multiple causes of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency but individuals suffering with this condition are often unable to absorb food well resulting in a loss of weight or an inability to gain weight despite them eating well. This is called malabsorption and is treated by replacing the enzymes that the individual is unable to produce.

Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapies mostly come in capsule form and remain a fairly commonly prescribed group of drugs within the HSC. There are a number of brand names including Creon, Nutrizym, Pancrease and Pancrex. The capsules come in different strengths and this refers to the amount of Lipase units which is the enzyme needed to digests fats. For example Creon comes in doses of 10000, 25000 and 40000. Creon 10000 has less lipase units than Creon 40000. The higher the strength, the larger the capsule.

Treatment is usually initiated on specialist advice and is typically continued and prescribed in primary care. The Health and Social Care Board have advised that they are unaware of anything contentious with the availability of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapies at this time.