Current Supply Status
| Medication | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Insulin (Novorapid, Humalog, etc.) | Rapid-acting insulin | ✅ Stable |
| Insulin (Lantus, Levemir, Tresiba) | Long-acting insulin | ✅ Stable |
| Metformin tablets | First-line oral | ✅ Available |
| Metformin liquid | Oral solution | ⚠️ Intermittent |
| Semaglutide (Ozempic) | GLP-1 agonist | ⚠️ Constrained |
| Liraglutide (Victoza) | GLP-1 agonist | ⚠️ Some doses limited |
| Dulaglutide (Trulicity) | GLP-1 agonist | ✅ Improving |
| Empagliflozin (Jardiance) | SGLT2 inhibitor | ✅ Available |
| Dapagliflozin (Forxiga) | SGLT2 inhibitor | ✅ Available |
| Gliclazide | Sulfonylurea | ✅ Available |
The GLP-1 Agonist Supply Squeeze
The biggest story in diabetes medication supply is the extraordinary demand for GLP-1 receptor agonists, driven by their dual use in diabetes and obesity treatment:
The Ozempic/Wegovy Phenomenon
Semaglutide — marketed as Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for weight management — has become one of the most in-demand medications globally. Celebrity endorsement of semaglutide for weight loss has created demand that far outstrips manufacturing capacity.
This has directly impacted Type 2 diabetes patients who need semaglutide for blood sugar control. While Novo Nordisk (the manufacturer) has prioritised diabetes patients, supply constraints have caused intermittent availability issues for both indications.
Manufacturing Limitations
GLP-1 agonists are biologically manufactured products (produced using living organisms), making them significantly more complex and expensive to produce than traditional small-molecule drugs. Novo Nordisk has invested over $6 billion in expanding manufacturing capacity, but new facilities take 3-5 years to build and validate.
Insulin Supply: Generally Reliable
The good news for insulin-dependent patients is that insulin supply in the UK remains generally stable. This is because:
- The UK maintains strategic insulin reserves as part of national emergency planning
- Insulin manufacturing is dominated by three major companies (Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, Eli Lilly) with well-established production lines
- Insulin has been manufactured at scale for decades, with mature supply chains
- The NHS has long-term supply agreements with insulin manufacturers
However, specific insulin products (particular brands or pen devices) can experience temporary unavailability. Patients should be prepared to switch between equivalent products if needed.
What Diabetes Patients Should Do
- Never let your insulin or medication supply run critically low — reorder with at least 1-2 weeks' buffer
- Know your alternative options: discuss with your diabetes nurse or GP what you could switch to if your usual medication is unavailable
- If you use a GLP-1 agonist, discuss with your prescriber whether alternative GLP-1s or other medication classes could be backup options
- Keep your blood glucose monitoring supplies well stocked — these can also face supply issues
- Sign up for MedWatch alerts for your specific diabetes medications
Related
Most Commonly Shorted Medicines
Where diabetes drugs rank
Getting Emergency Prescriptions
Options when you urgently need medication
Medicine Out of Stock Guide
Step-by-step when medication is unavailable
Page last updated: 7 February 2026. Data checked daily.