What’s changing with insulin pen needles?
BD’s Diabetes Care division, which manufactures insulin pen needle products, has now transitioned to a different name: embecta.
As a result, most BD insulin pen needles now come under the branding of embecta and will have new embecta packaging. You may have already noticed that your needle packaging has changed.
Following this transition, most BD insulin pen needles are now no longer part of the Drug Tariff, which is produced by the NHS Prescription Services on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care, and is primarily supplied to pharmacists and GP practices. Some NovoFine insulin pen needles have also been removed from the drug tariff.
The insulin pen needles affected and no longer part of the drug tariff include:
- BD AutoShield Duo 5mm/30 gauge
- BD Micro-Fine Ultra 4mm/32 gauge
- BD Micro-Fine Ultra 5mm/31 gauge
- NovoFine 8mm/30 gauge
- NovoFine Autocover 8mm/30 gauge.
Because these BD needles are no longer listed in the drug tariff, it means your pharmacy will not be able to supply your insulin needles if they are prescribed for you using the brand name BD on your repeat prescriptions. If you are using the Novofine 8mm/30 gauge needles these will no longer be available under any name.
If you use any of these needles on prescription, your pharmacy or doctor might contact you to discuss prescribing you a replacement which is listed in the Drug Tariff.
We recommend that you check your repeat prescriptions for your insulin needles to ensure the prescription has changed and it does not still list the needles as written above. This could cause delay in receiving your insulin pen needles, so make sure you discuss this with your doctor to ensure you’re not left without pen needles.
Which replacement needles are available?
The following BD, embecta and NovoFine insulin pen needles are currently listed in the drug tariff and can be prescribed as replacements:
- BD Micro-Fine+ 8mm/31 gauge
- embecta AutoShield Duo 5mm/30 gauge
- embecta Micro-Fine 5mm/31 gauge
- embecta Micro-Fine 8mm/31 gauge
- embecta Micro-Fine Ultra 4mm/32 gauge
- NovoFine 4mm/32 gauge
- NovoFine 6mm/31 gauge.
You can also view the full reference guide to see which BD products have been transitioned to embecta and what the new packaging looks like.
Healthcare professionals looking for more information about which needles can be prescribed under the Drug Tariff | NHSBSA.
You can also ring our helpline with any questions or concerns on 0345 123 2399.
