We are aware of reports regarding supply issues of insulin in the UK. Some of these reports are of insulins that are being discontinued and some are where there is a temporary shortage. Here’s the latest information on how your treatment may be impacted.
Humulin insulin vials discontinuation
On 23 July 2025, the DHSC issued a Medicine Supply Notification for Eli Lilly's Humulin insulin range in 10ml vials, which are being discontinued.
This includes:
- Humulin I 100units/ml suspension for injection 10ml vials
- Humulin M3 100units/ml suspension for injection 10ml vials
- Humulin S 100units/ml solution for injection 10ml vials
It is anticipated there will be no stock of Humulin I 10ml vials by the end of April 2026 and no stock of Humulin M3 or Humulin S 10ml vials by the end of May 2026.
As an alternative to the 10ml insulin vials, healthcare professionals have been advised that 3ml Penfill (cartridges) for use with the HumaPen Savvio reusable insulin pen, are available and can support increased demand for Humulin I, Humulin S and Humulin M3.
Humulin I KwikPens 100units/ml 3ml disposable pens, and Humulin M3 KwikPens 100units/ml 3ml disposable pens are also available and can support increased demand.
Insulatard 100units/ml suspension for injection in 10ml vials, which would be a suitable alternative to Humulin I, and Actrapid 100units/ml solution for injection in 10ml vials which would be a suitable alternative to Humulin S, are also available but cannot support increased demand.
Humalog Mix 25 insulin vials discontinuation
On 23 July 2025, the DHSC issued a Medicine Supply Notification for Eli Lilly's Humalog Mix25 100units/ml suspension for injection in 10ml vials which are being discontinued. It is anticipated there will be no stock by April 2026.
As an alternative to the 10ml insulin vials, healthcare professionals have been advised that 3ml Penfill (cartridges) for use with the HumaPen Savvio reusable insulin pen, are available and can support increased demand for Humalog Mix25. And Humalog Mix25 KwikPens 100units/ml 3ml disposable pens are also available and can support increased demand.
Hypurin Porcine insulin vials discontinuation
On 23 July 2025, the DHSC issued a Medicine Supply Notification for Wockhardt's Hypurin Porcine insulin range in 10ml vials which are being discontinued.
This includes:
- Hypurin Porcine Isophane 100units/ml suspension for injection 10ml vials
- Hypurin Porcine Neutral 100units/ml solution for injection 10ml vials
- Hypurin Porcine 30/70 Mix 100units/ml suspension for injection 10ml vials
It is anticipated there will be no stock of Hypurin Porcine Isophane by the end of September 2025, no stock of Hypurin Porcine neutral by February 2026, and no stock of Hypurin Porcine 30/70 Mix by the end of July 2026.
As an alternative to the 10ml insulin vials, healthcare professionals have been advised that 3ml Penfill (cartridges) are available for all the Hypurin Porcine insulins listed above and can support increased demand.
The 3ml penfills (cartridges) can be used in the AutoPen Classic reusable insulin pen device and with the new Mypen2 reusable insulin pen device.
The AutoPen Classic reusable pen is also being discontinued but there are some pens still available now. The new Mypen 2 will be available from the end of September 2025.
Additional information for the Humulin, Humalog, and Hypurin Porcine discontinuations
The discontinuation of 10ml vials means that people who have been used to using an insulin vial with an insulin syringe will need to change to using an insulin pen device instead.
We have advice on changing to a new insulin pen device. If you have concerns after starting your new pen speak to your diabetes team or GP.
These discontinuations are not due to any safety issues with any of the insulins, and although the injection device will change, you should be able to continue to use the same insulin you have been used to using.
Because you are being changed from insulin vials to insulin injections pens, it's important that as well as a prescription for the insulin you also have a prescription for the insulin needles and a sharps bin to dispose of your needles. So do check you have all the equipment you need to do an injection safely before switching to the new device.
If you can't use the insulin pen devices and have no carers to support you with using them, you should speak to the diabetes team to discuss and agree alternative management options.
NovoRapid PumpCart shortage
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said on 4 June 2025 that supplies of the NovoRapid PumpCart 1.6ml cartridges, made by Novo Nordisk, will be in limited supply throughout this year.
The NovoRapid (insulin aspart) PumpCart cartridges are used in the mylife YpsoPump insulin pump.
Limited supply means that there won’t be enough stock to start people on new prescriptions of PumpCart cartridges.
Diabetes teams may also decide to review people already using the PumpCart cartridges. If you are currently using NovoRapid PumpCart cartridges, then there might be no change to your current prescription. But due to these supply issues you may be asked to change to using insulin vials with disposable reservoirs instead – either temporarily or permanently.
As an alternative to the NovoRapid PumpCart cartridges healthcare professionals have been advised that:
- alternative insulin aspart products including NovoRapid vials remain available and can support increased demand.
- The mylife YpsoPump Reservoir, which can be self-filled with NovoRapid vials, remains available and can support increased demand.
If you are asked to switch to this other method of filling the mylife YpsoPump insulin pump, you should get a prescription for your insulin in vials and be provided with the reservoirs that you need to fill.
If you’re not sure you have these reservoirs, please speak to your diabetes team before your NovoRapid PumpCart cartridges run out. Your diabetes team should also provide you with the appropriate education and training to make sure you know how to fill the reservoir correctly.
As a precaution, if you have made this change, it is recommended that you initially monitor your glucose levels more closely. And if you have any concerns, you should speak to your diabetes team.
If you are using NovoRapid vials already to fill your insulin pump reservoir then this shortage will not affect you.
Find out more about the mylife YpsoPump insulin pump reservoirs, and watch this video on how to use the insulin pump reservoirs.
You can contact Ypsomed for more contact by email at Info@ypsomed.co.uk or contact their customer care team on 03448567820.
Levemir discontinuation
Novo Nordisk is discontinuing the Levemir insulin range.
A Medicines Safety Notice (MSN) was issued on 16 June 2025 for:
- Levemir FlexPen 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml pre-filled pens
- Levemir Penfill 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml cartridges.
These are being discontinued and stock is expected to run out by the end of 2026.
Clinicians are being asked not to start anyone on a new prescription for Levemir. They are also being asked not to switch anybody currently taking Levemir to a new insulin until further advice has been issued, which will advise clinicians which alternative insulins are available to support this withdrawal.
We are expecting that another MSN will be published in the coming months, which will give more information on which alternatives will be available and recommended. We will update this page when this information is available.
At this stage, we do not have any further information because the DHSC is working with NHS England and clinical experts to plan for this discontinuation.
Until this guidance has been produced, people are being asked not to make extra appointments to be switched from Levemir to an alternative insulin. This is to make sure that the discontinuation in 2026 doesn’t affect the supply of other insulins now.
Insulatard Penfill discontinuation
In December 2024, the DHSC issued a Medicine Supply Notification for Novo Nordisk’s Insulatard Penfill 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 Penfill, healthcare professionals have been advised that Humulin I KwikPen 100units/ml in 3ml pre-filled pens are available and have supported the full increase in demand from April 2025.
Humulin I 100units/ml 3ml Penfill 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 Penfill may need to change to using pre-filled disposable pens instead.
We have advice below on changing to a new insulin pen device. If you have any concerns after starting your new pen speak to your diabetes team or GP.
Fiasp FlexTouch shortage
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 Penfill (cartridges), which remain available. Your healthcare team might give you the option of continuing to use this insulin in Penfill (cartridge) form. We have advice below on changing to a new insulin pen device.
Tresiba FlexTouch shortage
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 January 2026.
Your healthcare team might give you the option of continuing to use Tresiba insulin in Penfill (cartridge) form.
NovoRapid FlexTouch pens discontinuation
Novo Nordisk’s NovoRapid FlexTouch 100units/ml 3ml pre-filled pens are now out of stock having been discontinued in 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.
Trurapi 100units/ml 3ml penfills are compatible with the AllStar Pro and JuniorSTAR refillable pens.
Changing to a new insulin pen device
If you are being switched to another injection pen you have not used before, make sure your healthcare professional has shown you the new pen and you know how to use it. Ask your healthcare professional to check your prescription so you have all the equipment you need to start using your new pen.
They should also discuss with you what insulin doses you should be taking and ask you to monitor your blood sugar levels more closely when you make this change.
If you have any concerns after starting your new pen speak to your diabetes team or GP.
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.”
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
Further information for healthcare professionals
- DHSC and NHS England have an online Medicines Supply Tool, which provides up-to-date information about medicine supply issues. The contents of Medicine Supply Notifications can be viewed on the Tool.
- The Tool also details any changes to resupply dates and updates to the entries.
- To access the Tool you will need an NHS email address. Once set up and logged in, you will be able to access it online.
