Pakistan Reports Apidra Insulin Shortage as Imports From Germany Decline
Pakistan is experiencing a supply shortage of Apidra, a rapid-acting insulin brand, following a production disruption at its German manufacturing facility, the National Assembly has been informed.
Parliamentary Secretary for Health Nelson Azeem said the shortage emerged in October after supplies from Germany were interrupted. The medicine had reportedly remained available in Pakistan until September.
Apidra Supplies Fall Amid Manufacturing Disruption
Responding to a concern raised by Member of the National Assembly Syeda Amna Batool, Azeem said the quantity supplied by the manufacturer had fallen from 3,500 kits to 1,000. He warned that availability could remain under pressure during a planned upgrade process expected to take about a year.
According to the parliamentary secretary, the supply disruption was affecting multiple regions, including Asia, Australia and Europe. Supplies are expected to improve once production and distribution return to normal.
The health ministry has asked distributors to explore options for arranging additional stock. However, officials acknowledged that obtaining more supplies could prove challenging while manufacturing remains disrupted.
Concerns Over the Cost of Alternative Insulin
Batool raised concerns about the affordability of alternative insulin products, saying they could cost at least 20 percent more. She also highlighted difficulties faced by patients who may not have easy access to doctors for guidance when changing their treatment.
Azeem said alternative insulin products with similar therapeutic effects were available in Pakistan and could be considered on a doctor’s recommendation.
Government Says Shortage Is Limited to Apidra
Earlier, the health ministry clarified that Pakistan was not experiencing a nationwide shortage of all insulin products. Officials said the reported supply problem was specifically related to insulin glulisine, sold under the Apidra brand and manufactured by Sanofi.
Health ministry spokesperson Sajid Shah said other rapid-acting insulin brands, including NovoRapid by Novo Nordisk and Humalog by Eli Lilly, remained available across the country. Other major categories of insulin were also reported to be available.
Patients using Apidra should consult their treating doctor or pharmacist about availability and suitable alternatives. They should not switch insulin brands, doses or treatment schedules without medical advice, as different insulin products may require individualised guidance.
