Germany Phases Out Key Insulin Products by 2027, Forcing Patient Transitions

Millions of diabetes patients face a major shift as critical insulin products vanish from shelves. Will the transition put vulnerable groups at risk?

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2025 November 30 . 7:04 PM

1 min read

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Germany Phases Out Key Insulin Products by 2027, Forcing Patient Transitions

Germany’s Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) has announced the phased discontinuation of several insulin products. Novo Nordisk will stop distributing certain human insulin, insulin detemir, and insulin aspart preparations by the end of 2025 and 2026. The decision does not stem from safety or quality issues but marks a shift in available treatment options for diabetes patients.

The withdrawal will occur in two stages. By the end of 2025, the first batch of products will be phased out. A second group, including Protaphane FlexPen, Protaphane Penfill, Levemir FlexPen, and Levemir Penfill, will disappear from the market by 2026. The prefilled insulin Fiasp PumpCart will also be discontinued, though insulin aspart will remain accessible in alternative forms.

From 2027, additional products will no longer be available. These include Actrapid FlexPen, Actrapid Penfill, Actraphane 30 FlexPen, Actraphane 30 Penfill, and Actraphane 50 Penfill. Patients currently using these insulins will need to transition to different preparations.

Health authorities have stressed the importance of careful management during the switch. Dosage adjustments and frequent blood glucose monitoring will be necessary, as different insulins may behave differently in the body. Vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women and children, will require particularly close observation in the initial weeks after changing treatments.

The discontinuation affects multiple insulin products widely used in diabetes care. Patients and healthcare providers must now prepare for alternative treatments, ensuring proper monitoring and dosage adjustments. The changes will take full effect by the end of 2027, with no further supply of the listed products beyond that date.