Quick answer: what matters most in a diabetes medicine shortage?
If you use insulin and supply is disrupted, act early. Do not improvise doses, do not double up after a missed dose, and do not change insulin type or device without advice from the team managing your diabetes. NHS SPS warns that missed insulin doses can put people at risk of hyperglycaemia, diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state.
For GLP-1 medicines such as semaglutide, tirzepatide, Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro, the clinical response depends on why you take it, what dose you use, and whether the issue is stock, discontinuation, private supply, or a safety alert. A falsified product alert is not the same thing as a normal shortage.
The key is to separate emergencies from admin. Insulin continuity is urgent. Device training is a safety issue. Weight-loss GLP-1 delays may be frustrating but should not be solved by buying uncertain products online.
Current shortage and safety signals
The cards below are pulled from the MediWatch shortage database. Treat them as a national signal, not proof that your local pharmacy has or does not have stock. Some historic SSP rows remain in source data; this page flags passed resolution dates so they do not read like live advice.
Mounjaro KwikPen 15mg pre-filled pens
Safety alertA falsified version of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) KwikPen 15mg solution for injection has been found supplied through one online pharmacy in the UK. The falsified product is labelled with batch D873576 and applies to Mounjaro KwikPen 15mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen only.
Tresiba® (insulin degludec) FlexTouch® 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml prefilled pens
Current tracked signalDepartment of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for Tresiba® (insulin degludec) FlexTouch® 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml prefilled pens. • Tresiba® FlexTouch® (insulin degludec) 100units/ml pens have been discontinued. Supplies were exhausted in July 2023. • Tresiba® Penfill® (insulin degludec) 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml cartridges remain available and can su
Vials of Humulin® I, Humulin® S, Humulin® M3, and Humalog® Mix25 are being discontinued.
Resolution date passedThe Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for the following products: • Humulin® I (insulin isophane human) 100units/ml suspension for injection 10ml vials • Humulin® M3 (insulin isophane biphasic human 30/70) 100units/ml suspension for injection 10ml vials • Humalog® Mix25 (insulin lispro biphasic 25/75) 100units/ml suspension for injection 10ml vials • Humulin® S (ins
Updated Levemir® (insulin detemir) FlexPen® 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml pre-filled pens and Levemir® Penfill 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml cartridges
Current tracked signalUPDATE (15/04/2026) to communication (MSN/2025/036U) issued on 14 August 2025. Levemir® products are being discontinued. Stock exhaustion is expected in December 2026. This notification is being re-issued, as a high number of patients remain on Levemir® products. Healthcare professionals are reminded to switch patients on Levemir® to a suitable alternative as soon as possible. Patients should be switched as per guida
Humalog® (insulin lispro) 100units/ml solution for injection 10ml vials
Current tracked signalTO NOTE: This MSN is the one of two covering supply issues with insulin vials. MSN/2024/057 issued on 20/05/24 covered Humulin® S (insulin soluble human). This MSN (MSN/2024/072) covers Humalog® (insulin lispro). CAUTION: These products have similar sounding names and appropriate risk minimisation strategies should be implemented to ensure actions are carried out for specific products • Humalog® (insulin lispro) 100u
Humulin® S (insulin soluble human) 100units/ml solution for injection 10ml vials
Current tracked signalDepartment of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for Humulin® S (insulin soluble human) 100units/ml solution for injection 10ml vials. • Humulin® S (insulin soluble human) 100units/ml 10ml vials will be out of stock from late May 2024 until mid-June 2024 • Actrapid® (insulin soluble human) 100units/ml 10ml vials remain available and can support increased demand.
Levemir InnoLet® (insulin detemir) 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml pre-filled disposable devices
Current tracked signalDepartment of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for Levemir InnoLet® (insulin detemir) 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml pre-filled disposable devices. • Levemir® InnoLet® (insulin detemir) 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml pre-filled disposable devices are being discontinued with remaining stock exhausted by the end of May 2024. • Levemir® FlexPen® (insulin detemir) 10
Insulatard® InnoLet® (insulin isophane human) 100units/ml suspension for injection 3ml pre-filled disposable devices
Current tracked signalDepartment of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for Insulatard® InnoLet® (insulin isophane human) 100units/ml suspension for injection 3ml pre-filled disposable devices • Insulatard® InnoLet® (insulin isophane human) 100units/ml suspension for injection 3ml pre-filled disposable devices are being discontinued with remaining stock exhausted by the end of May 2024. • Humulin® I Kwi
Fiasp® FlexTouch® (insulin aspart) 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml pre-filled pens
Current tracked signalDepartment of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for Fiasp® FlexTouch® (insulin aspart) 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml pre-filled pens. • Fiasp® FlexTouch® (insulin aspart) 100units/ml pre-filled pens will be out of stock from April 2024 until January 2025. • Fiasp® Penfill® (insulin aspart) 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml cartridges remain available and can support
Supply issues with multiple GLP-1 RA products
Needs local confirmationDepartment of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for Semaglutide (Ozempic®) 0.25mg, 0.5mg and 1mg solution for injection in a pre-filled pen Dulaglutide (Trulicity®) 0.75mg, 1.5mg, 3mg and 4.5mg solution for injection in a prefilled pen Liraglutide (Victoza®) 6mg/ml solution for injection in a pre-filled pen. • Semaglutide (Ozempic®) 0.25mg and 1mg solution for injection in a pre-
Hypurin® Porcine 30/70 Mix (insulin isophane biphasic porcine) 100units/ml suspension for injection 3ml cartridges
Needs local confirmationDepartment of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for Hypurin® Porcine 30/70 Mix (insulin isophane biphasic porcine) 100units/ml suspension for injection 3ml cartridges. • Hypurin® Porcine 30/70 Mix 100units/ml suspension for injection 3ml cartridges will be out of stock until mid-January 2026. • The remaining stock of Hypurin® Porcine 30/70 Mix 100units/ml suspension for injection
Admelog® (insulin lispro)
Needs local confirmationThe Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for the following products: • Admelog® (insulin lispro) 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml cartridges • Admelog® (insulin lispro) 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml pre-filled pens • Admelog® (insulin lispro) 100units/ml solution for injection 10ml vials • Admelog® (insulin lispro) 100 units/ml solution for injection car
Diabetes shortages by clinical risk
A good diabetes shortage page has to triage. It should not put a falsified Mounjaro alert, a Levemir discontinuation, an insulin vial switch and a metformin stock query into the same undifferentiated list. The patient action is different for each.
| Signal type | Examples | Patient risk | Likely next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insulin discontinuation or shortage | Levemir, Humulin vials, Hypurin vials, Fiasp, NovoRapid, Tresiba | High if supply runs out or device changes are misunderstood. | Speak to diabetes team, prescriber or pharmacist before supply ends. |
| GLP-1 shortage or dose pressure | Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Saxenda, semaglutide, tirzepatide | Variable; depends on indication, dose and glucose control. | Ask prescriber about dose continuity, alternatives and safe restart rules. |
| Safety or falsified-product alert | Mounjaro falsified product warnings | Potentially serious if product source is uncertain. | Do not use suspect product; contact pharmacy, prescriber or MHRA Yellow Card route. |
| Oral diabetes medicine issue | Metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, DPP-4 inhibitors, sulfonylureas | Depends on diabetes type, kidney function and regimen. | Confirm alternatives with prescriber; monitor glucose as advised. |
That is the ranking opportunity for MediWatch: not just "there is a diabetes shortage", but "this is the kind of diabetes supply signal you are dealing with and this is the safe escalation path".
Insulin shortages and discontinuations
Insulin is the part of this cluster where thin content is most dangerous. Patients may be moving from vials to cartridges, from one pen system to another, or from a discontinued basal insulin to a different background insulin. The medicine, device, concentration, timing and training all matter.
Diabetes UK has reported several UK insulin supply and discontinuation issues, including Levemir withdrawal expected by the end of 2026 and discontinuations affecting Humulin and Hypurin vial ranges. Those changes often mean patients do not simply need "another insulin"; they may need a different device, supplies, dose instructions and confidence using the replacement.
- Count your insulin by usable days, not by boxes. Include opened pens, cartridges, pump reservoirs, spare vials and travel stock.
- Check the exact formulation. Rapid-acting, long-acting, mixed, vial, cartridge, KwikPen, FlexTouch and PumpCart are not interchangeable labels.
- Call the pharmacy and ask whether this is wholesaler stock, device availability, or a national discontinuation.
- Contact your diabetes team or prescriber before the final week. Device switches and basal insulin changes need time.
- Increase monitoring only as advised. If supply disruption causes missed or delayed insulin, follow your diabetes team plan and use urgent services for worrying symptoms.
If a child, pregnant person, pump user, person with type 1 diabetes, frail older adult or person with recurrent severe hypoglycaemia is affected, treat the supply problem as higher priority from the start.
GLP-1 medicines: shortage, demand pressure and unsafe supply
GLP-1 medicines create a different editorial problem. Searchers may use "diabetes medication shortage" while looking for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or semaglutide, but some are prescribed for type 2 diabetes, some for weight management, and some are accessed privately. Supply pressure and safety risk can overlap.
The page should avoid two mistakes. First, it should not suggest that a GLP-1 delay is the same clinical emergency as missed insulin. Second, it should not underplay unsafe supply routes. Where MHRA has issued a falsified-product alert, that belongs in the safety lane: do not use suspect pens or online products, and check supply source with a registered pharmacy or clinician.
Diabetes indication
Ask your diabetes team whether glucose monitoring, dose bridging or another medicine is needed if a GLP-1 is unavailable.
Weight management indication
Ask the prescriber or clinic about pause, restart and dose-titration rules. Do not source unknown pens.
Safety alert
Check batch, supplier and packaging. Report suspected falsified or adverse events through the appropriate channel.
What to do if you cannot get your diabetes medicine
The safest response is to preserve continuity, avoid dosing errors and keep the correct team involved. Diabetes medicines often interact with food intake, kidney function, illness, pregnancy, driving, pumps, sensors and hypoglycaemia risk.
- Do not substitute another person's medicine. Similar names can hide different active ingredients, release patterns or concentrations.
- Do not buy injectable medicines from unknown sellers. Shortage pressure makes falsified supply more likely.
- Ask the pharmacist what is actually unavailable. Sometimes a device is unavailable while the active ingredient remains available in another presentation.
- Ask the prescriber for a written plan. You want dose, device, timing, monitoring and follow-up instructions in one place.
- Use urgent help for symptoms of very high or very low glucose. Do not wait for a routine callback if you are vomiting, confused, drowsy, breathless, severely hypo, or worried about DKA.
For people using continuous glucose monitoring, pumps, smart pens or shared-care plans, also check whether the medicine change affects supplies, app settings, correction factors or rescue instructions. A shortage workaround that looks simple on paper can fail if the device workflow is not updated at the same time.
For content quality, the page should say these things directly. Vague "ask your pharmacist" copy is not enough for a high-risk diabetes cluster.
Priority medicine pages in this cluster
The diabetes cluster should route readers into exact medicine pages. The high-intent pages are where patients will search when they are standing in a pharmacy or trying to reorder.
| Page | Why it matters | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Insulin glargine / degludec / detemir | Basal insulin changes affect background coverage and device use. | Insulin glargine shortage |
| NovoRapid / Fiasp / insulin aspart | Rapid-acting insulin is time-critical around meals and pumps. | NovoRapid shortage |
| Humulin / Hypurin | Vial discontinuations can force device and training changes. | Hypurin shortage |
| Ozempic / Wegovy / Mounjaro | High demand and safety alerts create different patient intents. | Mounjaro shortage |
| Metformin and SGLT2 inhibitors | Oral alternatives depend on kidney function, indication and side-effect profile. | Metformin shortage |
Frequently asked questions
Is there an insulin shortage in the UK in 2026?
There are multiple current and recent UK insulin supply signals, including discontinuations and product-specific supply issues. The exact response depends on the insulin type, device and formulation, so patients should contact their diabetes team or prescriber before supply runs out.
What should I do if I miss an insulin dose because of a shortage?
Follow the plan from the team managing your diabetes. NHS SPS advises that missed insulin can increase risk of high glucose, DKA or HHS, and says people should never take a double dose of insulin to make up for a missed dose.
Are Ozempic and Mounjaro shortages the same as insulin shortages?
No. GLP-1 medicines can be important, but insulin interruption is usually more time-critical. GLP-1 supply issues, dose pauses and restarts should be handled with the prescriber, especially where products are used privately or for weight management.
Can I switch from a vial to a pen device myself?
No. Even if the same insulin is available in a different presentation, the device, dose delivery and training matter. Ask your pharmacist, diabetes nurse, GP or specialist team for a clear switch plan.
Sources and editorial notes
MediWatch combines official shortage records with patient-facing guidance. This page is not medical advice and does not replace your GP, specialist, pharmacist or diabetes/epilepsy/mental health team.
- DHSC medicine supply management - Explains how DHSC and NHS England assess and communicate medicine supply issues.
- NHSBSA Serious Shortage Protocols - Official source for active and expired SSPs.
- NHS SPS missed or delayed medicines guidance - Includes high-risk medicine advice for insulin and glucose monitoring.
- Diabetes UK insulin supply issues - Patient-facing overview of recent UK insulin supply and discontinuation issues.
Last reviewed for structure and source alignment on 6 May 2026. Shortage cards are generated from the local MediWatch shortage database at build time.
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