The Government has issued a written response to a petition, signed by more than 12,000 people, urging investment in UK insulin production to ensure self-sufficiency.
Petition calls for UK insulin self-sufficiency
The petition, launched on April 7 and now signed by 12,124 people, calls on the Government to "invest in and support insulin production in the UK to ensure self-sufficiency". Insulin is used to manage Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. People with Type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin and require injections to prevent blood glucose levels from becoming too high.
Diabetes UK estimates that nearly six million people in the UK are living with diabetes, with eight per cent having Type 1 and 90 per cent having Type 2.
Concerns over global supply chains
The petition argues that the UK is "too reliant on insulin production from other countries" and that people with diabetes must be assured that supply cannot be disrupted by global uncertainties. It highlights anxiety among families with relatives who have Type 1 diabetes whenever global affairs, such as wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, are in the news.
The petition also notes that while most insulin comes from Europe, since Brexit the UK cannot rely on being a priority in the event of a shortage. It states: "It is vital we produce our own supplies of this life saving substance."
Government response
When a petition reaches 10,000 signatures, the Government must issue a written response. If it reaches 100,000 signatures, the topic must be considered for a debate in Parliament.
On Tuesday, October 27, the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST) said the Government is "strengthening the resilience of insulin and wider medicines supply, and supports investment in UK medicines manufacturing through the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund".
The response states: "The Government recognises the importance of ensuring patients have reliable access to essential medicines, including insulin. While insulin is supplied through global manufacturing networks, the UK is committed to strengthening the resilience of medicines supply chains and supporting the advanced manufacturing capabilities needed for the medicines of the future."
It adds: "The UK is home to world-leading strengths in life sciences research, bioprocessing, advanced therapies and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Through the Life Sciences Sector Plan and wider industrial strategy, the Government is working to create the conditions for increased investment in innovative manufacturing technologies and strategic medicines capabilities across the UK."
The DBIST also said the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund (LSIMF) is designed to support investment in cutting-edge life sciences manufacturing projects in the UK, aiming to attract significant investments that strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity, support highly skilled jobs and improve the UK's long-term resilience and competitiveness in life sciences manufacturing.
