German manufacturer’s supply halt causes insulin shortage in Pakistan, NA told

A shortage of an insulin product used by people with Type 1 diabetes has hit Pakistan after its German manufacturer suspended supplies while upgrading its products, Parliamentary Secretary for Health Nelson Azeem told the National Assembly on Friday.

Azeem was responding to a concern raised by MNA Syeda Amna Batool. He said the country had sufficient stocks until September, with no shortage reported before June. However, disruptions in supplies from Germany in October led to the current situation.

He said the shortage was also affecting other parts of the world, including several Asian countries, Australia and Europe. The product would return to the market once international supplies resumed, he added.

Azeem said other insulin products with the same dosage and mode of action were available in Pakistan. He advised patients to consult their doctors before switching to an alternative.

MNA Syeda Amna, however, warned that switching treatments could create difficulties for patients.

She said alternative products cost at least 20 per cent more and pointed out that many patients could not easily access medical professionals.

She also raised questions about the availability of alternative insulin products and asked whether the health ministry or the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) had taken steps to ensure patients could obtain them without difficulty.

During the discussion, Azeem said the German manufacturer had previously supplied 3,500 kits, but the number had dropped to 1,000. He warned that supplies could decline further during the manufacturer’s year-long upgrade process.