Insulin shortage hits Pakistan after German manufacturer halts supplies

Pakistan is facing a shortage of an insulin product used by patients with diabetes after its German manufacturer suspended supplies to upgrade its

Pakistan is facing a shortage of an insulin product used by patients with diabetes after its German manufacturer suspended supplies to upgrade its products, the National Assembly was informed on Friday.

Parliamentary Secretary for Health Nelson Azeem said the product had remained available until September, but supply disruptions from Germany began in October. He said the shortage was also affecting patients in other parts of the world, including Asia, Australia and Europe.

Responding to a concern raised by MNA Syeda Amna Batool, Azeem said the insulin would become available again once international supplies resumed. He added that the health ministry was working to address the issue, although the manufacturer’s production halt had made efforts to secure additional stocks difficult.

Azeem said the manufacturer had previously supplied around 3,500 kits, but the quantity had dropped to 1,000 kits. Supplies could decline further during the year-long upgrading process, he warned.

The parliamentary secretary maintained that alternative insulin products with the same dosage and mode of action were available in Pakistan. However, he advised patients to switch treatments only on the recommendation of their doctors.

Batool raised concerns over the cost and accessibility of alternative treatments. She said the available substitutes were at least 20 per cent more expensive, creating additional difficulties for patients who could not afford higher medical expenses. She also questioned whether the health ministry and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan had ensured the availability of affordable alternatives.

The shortage has renewed concerns about access to essential diabetes medicines, particularly for patients who depend on regular insulin treatment and require medical supervision when changing products.

Earlier this week, the health ministry clarified that the shortage was limited to one insulin brand rather than affecting the entire market. Spokesperson Sajid Shah said insulin glulisine, sold under the brand name Apidra by Sanofi, was unavailable because of international supply constraints.

He said other rapid-acting insulin products, including NovoRapid and Humalog, were available across the country. The ministry also maintained that other major classes of insulin remained accessible.

The latest disruption comes amid broader concerns about the availability of essential medicines in Pakistan. In August 2025, the Pakistan Medical Association warned of severe shortages, reporting that at least 80 important medicines were unavailable, including 25 for which no substitutes existed. The affected medicines included treatments for diabetes, cancer, heart disease and several neurological and psychiatric conditions.