Insulin Shortage: NA Told German Firm’s Supply Halt Hit Diabetes Patients, Alternatives Costlier

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly was informed on Friday that an insulin product used by patients with Type 1 diabetes is in short supply in Pakistan after its German manufacturer halted supplies while upgrading its products. Parliamentary Secretary for Health Nelson Azeem was responding to a concern raised by MNA Syeda Amna Batool.

How the shortage began

Azeem said there had been no shortage until June, with stocks available until September — but supplies from Germany were disrupted in October, triggering the current situation. The manufacturer had previously supplied 3,500 kits; that number has now fallen to 1,000 and could decline further during the year-long upgrade process. “The impact of the shortage is being felt not just here, but across Asia, as well as in Australia and Europe,” he said.

Alternatives exist — but cost more

The parliamentary secretary said alternative insulin products with the same dosage and mode of action — NovoRapid and Humalog — were readily available in Pakistan, and patients could switch to them on their doctors’ advice. Batool, however, warned that switching treatments could create real difficulties: the alternatives were at least 20 per cent more expensive, and many patients did not have access to doctors. She put the number of Type 1 diabetes patients in Pakistan at around 34.5 million, including children, and asked whether the health ministry or the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) had ensured the easy availability of affordable alternatives.

The context

On October 20, the government had rejected reports of a widespread insulin shortage, saying only one brand — Apidra — was unavailable because of international supply constraints. Friday’s parliamentary statement marks the first time the shortage has been formally acknowledged in the National Assembly.