We are aware of reports regarding supply issues of insulin in the UK. Here’s the latest information on how your treatment may be impacted.
What’s the situation?
There have been some temporary shortages involving insulin used by people living with diabetes in the UK. However, this does not mean that there is a shortage of insulin generally. In all cases, suitable alternatives are available.
Fiasp FlexTouch
There are no shortages of Fiasp insulin, but it is expected that a shortage of the Fiasp FlexTouch 100units/ml pre-filled insulin pen will last until January 2026.
Novo Nordisk manufactures Fiasp in 100units/ml cartridges (Penfill), which remain available. Your healthcare team might give you the option of continuing to use this insulin in cartridge form.
Tresiba FlexTouch
Similarly to the situation with Fiasp, there are no issues with availability of Tresiba insulin, but there have been supply issues with the Tresiba FlexTouch 100units/ml pre-filled pens.
The Department of Health and Social Care expects Tresiba FlexTouch 100units/ml pens to be out of stock in the UK until the end of December 2024.
Your healthcare team might give you the option of continuing to use Tresiba insulin in cartridge form.
Humalog and Humulin
In 2024 there were some short-term disruptions to the supply of Humalog and Humulin vials.
This only applied to the Humalog and Humulin insulin in vials only – pre-filled pens and cartridges were not affected.
The affected vials were Humalog 100units/ml vials, Humulin M3 100units/ml vials and Humulin S 100units/ml vials, but this issue has been resolved and there is no longer any anticipated interruption to the supply of these insulins.
“Anyone still experiencing difficulty in getting their prescription filled should contact their doctor,” said a spokesperson for Eli Lilly - the manufacturers of these insulins.
Discontinuations
Novorapid FlexTouch pens
In October 2024, the Department of Health and Social Care issued a Medicine Supply Notification for Novo Nordisk’s Novorapid FlexTouch pens 100units/ml 3ml pre-filled pens which are being discontinued. It is anticipated there will be no stock by March 2025.
As an alternative to Novorapid FlexTouch 3ml prefilled pens, healthcare professionals have been advised that both Novorapid FlexPen 100units/ml 3ml pre-filled pens and Novorapid Penfill 100unit/ml 3ml cartridges remain available and can support the full increase in demand.
There is also an alternative insulin (known as a biosimilar insulin) to Novorapid called Trurapi which is made by the manufacturer Sanofi. Trurapi SoloStar 100units/ml 3ml pre-filled pens and Trurapi 100unit/ml 3ml Penfill (cartridges) are also available and can support an increase in demand.
Insulatard Penfill
In December 2024, the Department of Health and Social Care issued a Medicine Supply Notification for Novo Nordisk’s Insulatard penfills 100units/ml 3ml cartridges which are being discontinued. It is anticipated there will be no stock by June 2025.
As an alternative to Insulatard 3ml penfills (cartridges) healthcare professionals have been advised that Humulin I KwikPen 100units/ml in 3ml pre-filled pens (KwikPen) are available and can support the full increase in demand from April 2025.
Humulin I 100units/ml 3ml Penfill (cartridges) are also available but can’t support an increase in demand. This means that people who have been used to using a reusable pen with penfills (cartridges) may need to change to using pre-filled disposable pens instead.
If you are being switched to another pen you have not used before, make sure your healthcare professional has shown you the new pen and you know how to use it and what insulin doses you should be taking. Ask your healthcare professional to check your prescription so you have all the equipment you need to start using your new pen.
If you have any concerns after starting your new pen speak to your diabetes team or GP.
Earlier in 2024 there were discontinuations of two forms of insulin products:
InnoLet
In March 2024, the Department of Health and Social Care issued a Medicine Supply Notification for Novo Nordisk’s InnoLet 100units/ml suspension for injection 3ml.
These pre-filled disposable devices have now been discontinued.
This discontinuation applies to both Insulatard Innolet and Levemir Innolet devices.
As an alternative to Insulatard Innolet pre-filled pens, healthcare professionals have been advised that Humulin I KwikPen 100units/ml suspension for injection 3ml pre-filled pens remain available and can support increased demand.
As an alternative to Levemir Innolet, healthcare professionals have been advised that Levemir FlexPens and Levemir Penfill cartridges remain available and can support increased demand.
More information and support
Douglas Twenefour, Head of Care at Diabetes UK, said:
“We know it can be unsettling if people have to change how they manage their diabetes. With this in mind, we’re asking healthcare professionals to take into account the circumstances and needs of anyone affected. This should include a discussion to ensure they can continue to manage their treatment, and should include a prescription for any new device they need.”
There have also been shortages of GLP-1 agonists in the UK. You can read more about our response to these supply issues.
If you have any further concerns or questions over your insulin treatment, contact the Diabetes UK helpline either by email at helpline@diabetes.org.uk, or call us on 0345 123 2399.
