What’s happened 

A new once-weekly insulin treatment could reduce the number of injections needed by some adults with type 2 diabetes from 365 a year to 52. 

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended insulin efsitora alfa, also known as Onswik, as an option for treating type 2 diabetes in adults. 

Clinical trial evidence found that the weekly treatment controlled blood glucose as effectively as two commonly used long-acting insulins, insulin degludec and insulin glargine, which are injected daily. 

Why this matters to members 

Moving from daily to weekly injections could make treatment easier for people who find it difficult to follow a daily injection routine. 

NICE says it could particularly benefit people who need help to inject their insulin, including some frailer people and those with sight loss, limited hand movement or learning disabilities. 

It could also mean fewer visits from healthcare professionals or carers for people who rely on others to administer their insulin. 

Diabetes is a significant part of podiatry practice, particularly in services managing people at risk of foot complications. Changes that make diabetes treatment easier to manage are therefore relevant to podiatrists working with this patient group. 

What happens next 

NICE has recommended Onswik in final draft guidance, but the treatment has not yet been licensed by the medicines regulator.  

Onswik will need to receive a Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency licence before it can be used by NHS or private patients in the UK.  

If licensed, NICE's recommendation could make the treatment available as an option for adults living with type 2 diabetes in England. 

Links and references 

NICE: Weekly insulin jab could cut injections from 365 a year to just 52