Levemir® (insulin detemir) 100units/ml FlexPen® and PenFill 100units/ml solution for injection 3ml cartridges – discontinuation

Dear colleague

You will already be aware of the plans of Novo Nordisk Ltd to discontinue Levemir® (insulin detemir), with supplies anticipated to be exhausted by December 2026 (MSN/2025/036U).

Across South Yorkshire, we are taking a system-wide proactive approach, working with diabetes specialists and representatives from each of our four places, to plan and co-ordinate processes to ensure people are reviewed in a timely and safe manner.

Each place has developed standard processes to ensure people are referred in for review and switched to an alternative insulin. Patients should be reassured that they will be referred/ invited in for review in a timely manner by their general practice or diabetes specialist teams.

This information is being shared so community pharmacy colleagues are aware of the local system plans for this insulin transition. If patients collecting Levemir prescriptions ask about the change or their review, pharmacy teams are encouraged to check whether they have received information from their general practice or diabetes specialist team, as some patients may not attend regular reviews. Please reassure patients that their general practice or diabetes specialist team will contact them, and signpost them back to the appropriate team for clinical advice or intervention.

The plan is to diversify insulin alternatives to avoid destabilising the supply chain further and we appeal for your help to support people with the change.

Patients in Rotherham will be transitioned over to Semglee® (insulin glargine) or Humulin® I (insulin isophane).

Patients in Sheffield and Doncaster will be transitioned over to Tresiba® (insulin degludec) or Toujeo® (insulin glargine.

Patients in Barnsley will be transitioned over to an alternative insulin chosen by the diabetes specialist nurses in collaboration with the patient.

The dose will be explained by the diabetes professional who is responsible for the switch, and it’s important that people receive consistent and safe information. People should seek advice from their specialist if they are unsure what dose to inject. Doses and dose frequency may be amended but this will be fully explained to the patient by the professional undertaking the switch, and follow-ups will be arranged as appropriate.

Key actions for pharmacy teams:

Be aware of the local system plans for the Levemir® transition and the expected exhaustion of supplies by December 2026.
When patients collecting Levemir® prescriptions ask about the change, check whether they have received information from their general practice or diabetes specialist team.
Reassure patients that their general practice or diabetes specialist team will contact them about review and switching arrangements.
Signpost patients back to their general practice or diabetes specialist team for clinical advice, dose queries, or intervention.

If you have further questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact the South Yorkshire Medicines Optimisation Team by emailing the generic inbox at syicb.medsopt@nhs.net