A weekly jab could cut the number of injections needed by 86%<\/p>\n
Hundreds of thousands of people with type 2 diabetes could get access to a new weekly insulin jab to replace daily injections, reducing the number needed each year by 86%.<\/p>\n
Patients still have to wait for the treatment to be approved by the medicines regulator before it is made available on the NHS.<\/p>\n
The treatment is said to work as well as daily insulin jabs but only needs to be injected once a week.<\/p>\n
The charity Diabetes UK says it will help people manage their condition better, especially those who have extra care needs and who require help to inject every day.<\/p>\n
Around 4.7 million people in the UK were living with diabetes in 2024-25, of which roughly 90% had type 2.<\/p>\n
The condition means the body can't make enough of a hormone called insulin, or the insulin it makes doesn't work properly – also known as insulin resistance.<\/p>\n
Diabetes UK says that around 1 in 4 people with type 2 diabetes takes insulin.<\/p>\n
Moving from daily injections to a weekly jab is most likely to benefit those who need help with their injections.<\/p>\n
That might include frailer people and those with sight loss, limited hand movement and learning disabilities.<\/p>\n
People who have difficulty following the steps involved in a daily injection or those who struggle to stick to their treatment regime are also likely to be helped by the new drug.<\/p>\n
Douglas Twenefour, head of clinical at Diabetes UK, said: "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.<\/p>\n
"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."<\/p>\n
Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, said the new treatment 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".<\/p>\n
She added: "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."<\/p>\n