A new treatment called Onswik, manufactured by Eli Lilly, offers an alternative to daily insulin injections for people with type 2 diabetes. The weekly injection is reported to demonstrate equivalent efficacy to daily insulin therapy while requiring administration only once per week, which would reduce the total number of injections needed annually by 86%.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has issued initial approval for the treatment, recognizing its potential to improve quality of life for certain patient populations. The medication is anticipated to be particularly beneficial for individuals who require assistance with their injections, including elderly patients, those with visual impairments, limited hand mobility, and people with learning disabilities. The treatment may also help individuals who struggle to adhere to daily injection regimens.
Before becoming available through the NHS, the treatment must receive licensing approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Health officials have indicated they are awaiting the regulator’s decision to determine whether the drug can be rolled out across the NHS. According to available statistics, approximately 4.7 million people in the UK were living with diabetes in 2024-25, with roughly 90% having type 2 diabetes. Of those with type 2 diabetes, around 1 in 4 patients currently uses insulin therapy.
Douglas Twenefour, head of clinical affairs at Diabetes UK, emphasized that the weekly option could help certain populations manage their condition more effectively while reducing healthcare inequities. Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, stated the treatment could make a meaningful difference for people with type 2 diabetes, particularly those who depend on caregivers or healthcare professionals for injection assistance. Nice guidance applies to NHS services in England and is frequently adopted by the NHS in Wales, though Northern Ireland and Scotland follow separate approval processes through their respective health authorities.
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