The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended a once-weekly insulin injection for people with type 2 diabetes in England, subject to licensing by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
If approved, the treatment would cut the number of injections needed each year by 86% compared with current daily insulin regimens.
Clinical evidence indicates the weekly jab works as well as daily insulin injections for managing blood glucose levels.
Around 4.7 million people in the UK were living with diabetes in 2024-25, of whom roughly 90% had type 2 diabetes, and approximately one in four of those takes insulin.
The change is expected to benefit people who need assistance with injections, including those who are frail, have sight loss, limited hand movement, or learning disabilities.
Douglas Twenefour, head of clinical at Diabetes UK, said the weekly option could help people with additional care needs manage their condition more easily and improve quality of life.
Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, said the recommendation balances patient benefits with the best use of limited NHS funding.
NICE guidance applies to the NHS in England; Wales often follows its recommendations, while Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate approval processes.
Weekly type 2 diabetes jab could replace daily injections
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