Hundreds of thousands of people with type 2 diabetes could benefit if the medicines regulator approves a new weekly jab which cuts the number of injections needed by 86 per cent.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has recommended a weekly treatment which reduces the annual number of insulin injections from 365 to 52. However, the treatment is yet to be approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Nice approved insulin efsitora alfa in final draft guidance on Thursday.
Health officials said they are awaiting the MHRA’s ruling on the treatment “to understand whether it could be rolled out on the NHS”.
The treatment, also known as Onswik and made by Eli Lilly, is said to work as well as daily injections but only needs to be injected once a week.
Officials said the reduction will particularly benefit people who need help injecting insulin, including frailer people and those with sight loss, limited hand movement, learning disabilities, people who have difficulty following the steps involved or those who struggle to stick to their treatment regimen.
Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, said: “Moving from daily injections to a single weekly dose could make a real difference to the day-to-day lives of people with type 2 diabetes, especially those who rely on a carer, family member or healthcare professional to help them inject.
“This recommendation is the result of rigorous, evidence-based decision-making, striking a balance between the benefits to patients and the best use of limited NHS funding.”
Professor Frankie Swords, national medical director at NHS England, said: “Managing diabetes never takes a day off, and for so many living with type 2 diabetes that means remembering and planning around an insulin injection every single day.
“Moving that to one injection a week could make a huge difference, giving people more freedom in their daily lives while giving valuable time back to carers and NHS teams.
“These vital treatments support people to control their diabetes every day, helping them to feel better in the short term and avoid serious complications in the long term – weekly insulin could in future become a valuable new option for many and we await the MHRA’s decision to understand whether it could be rolled out on the NHS.”
Douglas Twenefour, head of clinical at Diabetes UK, said: “This recommendation is an important step towards giving people with type 2 diabetes greater flexibility in how their condition is managed.
“For some, especially those with additional care needs, moving from daily insulin injections to a once-weekly option could help manage their diabetes more easily, improving their quality of life.
“Any NHS rollout should be supported by clear guidance, staff training and fair access. It’s essential that everyone who could benefit is supported by their healthcare team to make informed decisions, and that this treatment helps reduce inequities in diabetes care.”