The UK Government has responded to concerns over insulin supply by supporting a fund designed to boost domestic manufacturing of the medicine, following a petition that warned the country is too reliant on production abroad.
Nearly 6 million people in the UK are living with diabetes, according to Diabetes UK. Insulin is used primarily by people with type-1 diabetes, a condition where the body cannot make the hormone that helps use glucose for energy. Its cause is unknown, and only around one in 10 diabetes sufferers have type 1.
Around 25 per cent of people with type-2 diabetes, where glucose levels become too high, take insulin. They need it if other diabetes medicines no longer work well enough to keep blood glucose within a healthy range.
Petition Calls for Domestic Production
The UK imports much of its insulin from abroad, especially from countries within the European Union (EU). Fears that supplies would be disrupted after Brexit were eased by a deal between the Department for Health and Social Care and the EU, which ensured shipments continued.
However, concerns remain that a global shock could lead to a shortage. A petition on the Government website, submitted on April 7, surpassed the 10,000 signatures required to obtain a Government response on September 29.
The petition reads: "The UK is too reliant on insulin production from other countries. People with diabetes must be able to rest assured that the supply cannot be disrupted by global uncertainties. The UK must increase its own manufacture of insulin."
It adds: "Every time global affairs such as the wars in Ukraine, the Middle East etc are in the news, families with relatives with Type 1 Diabetes live with anxiety around the production chain for insulin being disrupted. Although we get most of our insulin from Europe, since Brexit we can't rely on being the first priority should there be a shortage in supplies. It is vital we produce our own supplies of this life saving substance."
Government Response and Support Fund
A statement from the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade 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 full statement went on: "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 continued: "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."
Details of the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund
The statement explained: "The Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund (LSIMF) is designed to support investment in cutting-edge life sciences manufacturing projects in the UK. The fund aims 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."
It added: "While funding decisions are taken on a case-by-case basis and the Government does not comment on individual commercial proposals, LSIMF can support projects that introduce new manufacturing technologies, expand production capability and strengthen strategically important areas of the life sciences manufacturing base."
The Government is also supporting innovation in biomanufacturing through investment in research infrastructure, process innovation and skills development. This includes supporting next-generation manufacturing technologies that can make the production of biological medicines more efficient, flexible and resilient.
The statement noted: "Maintaining a strong UK innovation ecosystem helps ensure that the UK remains an attractive location for future investment in the manufacture of complex biological medicines and other strategically important healthcare products."
Supply Issues and NHS Guidance
The Department of Health and Social Care is aware of supply issues with some insulin presentations; however, a variety of alternative insulin products remain available, some of which are also suitable alternatives to those affected by shortages or discontinuations. The department continues to work closely with national clinical experts and suppliers to ensure alternative insulin products can support increased demand, and patients can access suitable alternatives. Comprehensive management guidance has been issued to the NHS, including all GPs and community pharmacists.
The statement added: "The Government is focused on strengthening resilience across the entire UK medicines supply chain. We are continuing to strengthen our ability to prevent, mitigate and manage shortages through a range of measures, and last year we published our policy paper, Managing a Robust and Resilient Supply of Medicines, which set out a broad programme of work to strengthen resilience across the supply chain."
NHS commercial arrangements for pharmaceuticals are designed to support the procurement of medicines for NHS-funded services while securing value for money for taxpayers. Procurement activities are undertaken through established commercial arrangements and in accordance with relevant procurement legislation. The NHS works with manufacturers, wholesalers, NHS organisations and pharmacies, each of which plays an important role in the procurement and supply of medicines to patients.
The Government continues to work closely with industry, NHS England and other partners to support resilient medicines supply chains while strengthening the UK's long-term life sciences manufacturing capability. Through initiatives such as LSIMF and wider support for manufacturing innovation, the aim is to ensure the UK remains an attractive location for investment in advanced life sciences manufacturing and the technologies that underpin future healthcare resilience.
