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.
NovoRapid PumpCart
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.
It has also been announced that there is currently a shortage of stock that began on 9 June and is expected to last until 4 July. This means that if you are currently using the NovoRapid PumpCart cartridges you may have to change to using NovoRapid vials – either temporarily or permanently.
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 by your diabetes team to change from the PumpCart cartridges to using vials of insulin with disposable reservoirs instead.
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
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.
NovoRapid FlexTouch pens
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.
Insulatard Penfill
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.
InnoLet devices
In March 2024, the DHSC 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. We have advice below on changing to a new insulin pen device.
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 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
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.
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.
