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Medicine supply update

Why is Levemir insulin being discontinued in Australia?

By Patrick LeachPublisher: HerDoc

Illustration of a woman holding an insulin pen while speaking with a doctor on a laptop, with a glucose meter on the table.

The TGA says Levemir’s withdrawal is part of Novo Nordisk’s global strategy, not a response to concerns about safety, quality or effectiveness. FlexPen and Penfill are due to be discontinued in Australia in December 2026. If you use Levemir, contact your usual diabetes care team soon to make an individual plan for changing treatment. TGA supply update.

Sources checked: .

Published 31 October 2026 Updated 6 November 2026

What has the TGA updated?

The TGA updated its advice on 26 October 2026 to highlight new transition fact sheets from the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. The update gives people using Levemir and their clinicians practical support for an already announced discontinuation; it is not a new withdrawal decision or a recall.

Levemir is a long-acting insulin used to manage diabetes. Both its FlexPen device and Penfill cartridges are affected. The TGA says no Levemir products are expected to remain on the Australian market from 2027, making an early conversation with your usual prescriber important.

Does December mean I should stop?

No. Keep using your insulin as prescribed, and do not stop or switch it yourself. The Commission’s advice is to arrange the change before December, and before your existing supply runs out or expires. Its consumer fact sheet explains what to discuss with your care team.

December is the discontinuation month, not an instruction to stop on 1 December. The Commission notes that some stock may remain until depleted. That does not guarantee local availability and is not a reason to delay making a plan. Your pharmacist can check supply, while your prescriber plans the treatment change.

If you may run out before your appointment, contact your prescriber and pharmacist promptly. Do not stretch your supply by changing doses yourself.

A planned change, with support afterwards

Other insulin options are available, but there is no directly equivalent replacement for Levemir. The choice needs to fit your diabetes, current treatment and individual circumstances. Another person’s replacement or instructions may not suit you.

The Commission’s clinician guidance highlights the risk of unstable blood glucose (blood sugar) during the transition. A change may involve learning a different device, extra monitoring and follow-up. Tell your care team if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or have recently given birth so this is included in the plan.

For your appointment, it may help to ask:

  • How does the planned change fit with the supply I have left?
  • Can someone show me how to use any new device and check that I understand?
  • What written instructions will I have for monitoring and managing problems?
  • What will it cost, when will we follow up, and whom should I contact between appointments?

If you become unwell

Follow your personal diabetes or sick-day plan. If you do not have one or are unsure what to do, contact your usual care team promptly.

Call 000 if a person with diabetes becomes unconscious, has a seizure or is very drowsy. Do not give food or drink if they are drowsy or unconscious. Healthdirect’s low blood sugar guidance explains these emergency signs.