Life-Saving Drug Unobtainable in Rome, Patients in Crisis
The shortage of Creon, a life-saving drug based on pancreatic enzymes, has put patients in Rome in a state of crisis, leaving many without access to vital medication. Creon is indispensable for chronically ill people and those suffering from serious pathologies, including cystic fibrosis. The only Italian distributor, Viatris (manufactured by Abbott), anticipates difficulties in the supply chain until 2025, leaving pharmacies throughout the capital without supplies.
Giuseppe Longo, owner of a pharmacy in Piazza Vittorio, expressed concern over the shortage, stating, “I managed to get five packs and I am supplying it to those who really need it. The risk is that hoarding will start, soon it will land on the black market.” The situation is the same in pharmacies across the city, with many reporting that the drug is simply not available.
The shortage is the result of several factors, including difficulties in obtaining the active ingredients, which largely come from India and China. Commercial speculation by pharmaceutical industry giants and wholesalers, as well as export policies that deplete internal stocks, have also contributed to the crisis. Additionally, the scarcity of raw materials used in packaging, such as aluminum from Ukraine, has impacted the availability of the drug.
Pier Luigi Bartoletti, secretary of the Italian Federation of Family Doctors of Rome and its province, described the situation as “a Caporetto,” referencing a significant military defeat. Bartoletti emphasized the urgent need for action, stating, “The orders travel weeks late.” The situation has prompted calls for an “equitable distribution” of the drug in Europe, as well as for the authorization of imports from abroad in order to meet the urgent medical needs of patients.
A recent release of 38 thousand packs of Creon by the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) was described as “a drop in the ocean” by Bartoletti, who emphasized the chronic nature of the need for the drug. Furthermore, there are calls for fair distribution within countries where the drug is under monopoly, as well as the authorization of imports from abroad for both hospitals and pharmacies.
The shortage of Creon in Rome has left many patients in a state of crisis, with urgent action needed to secure a stable and consistent supply of this life-saving medication.