Weekly type 2 diabetes jab could replace daily injections
A new once-weekly insulin injection for type 2 diabetes is awaiting regulatory approval in the UK, potentially replacing daily injections for hundreds of thousands of patients. The treatment is expected to improve quality of life for those with additional care needs, such as limited mobility or learning disabilities.
Why it matters
Reducing the frequency of insulin administration could significantly improve treatment adherence and accessibility for vulnerable patient populations.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, A weekly jab could cut the number of injections needed by 86%
Health correspondent Published 20 August 2026, 01:39 BST Hundreds of thousands of people with type 2 diabetes could get access to a new weekly insulin jab to replace daily injections, reducing the number needed each year by 86%.
Patients still have to wait for the treatment to be approved by the medicines regulator before it is made available on the NHS.
The treatment is said to work as well as daily insulin jabs but only needs to be injected once a week.
The charity Diabetes UK says it will help people manage their condition better, especially those who have extra care needs and who require help to inject every day.
Around 4.7 million people in the UK were living with diabetes in 2024-25, of which roughly 90% had type 2.
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