Welsh Government issued Medicines Shortages letters are uploaded to the Public Health Alerts portal: https://nww2.nphs.wales.nhs.uk/contacts.nsf
The NHS Wales medicines shortages log can be accessed via this link: https://nhswales365.sharepoint.com/sites/SSP_Intranet_PCS/SitePages/Medicines-Shortages.aspx
Please note that these links can only be accessed using an NHS Wales intranet accessible PC.
The shortages log:
- Lists all shortage letters issued;
- Provides up to date information on the current status of each shortage;
- Links to relevant clinical or procurement advice for support managing the shortage; and
- Will be updated weekly on a Thursday
The Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) medicines supply tool summaries information from Medicines Shortage Notices and provides updates on anticipated re-supply dates. This tool is only available to registered users on the SPS website with an NHS email address.
Information for patients
The All Wales Therapeutics and Toxicology Centre (AWTTC) have produced patient information leaflets to inform people about what happens if there is a shortage of a medicine in Wales. These are available in English and Welsh, and in Easy Read format.
Levemir® (insulin detemir) discontinuation – clinical guidance
Updated May 2026
The letter from the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for Wales (CPhO/MedsLet/2025/042) draws attention to the clinical guidance jointly issued by the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists and Primary Care Diabetes and Obesity Society.
This guidance supports healthcare professionals in switching all patients currently prescribed Levemir® to alternative insulin treatments. It was updated in May 2026 to reflect current availability of alternative insulins and to help navigate the wider supply disruptions affecting other insulin products.
09 Jun 26
Levemir discontinuation clinical guidance update flagged.
18 Aug 25
Levemir discontinuation clinical guidance added.
12 Mar 25
Link to AWTTC PILs added.
20 Sep 23
Link to SPS medicines supply tool updated.
05 Aug 22
Shortages letter link and SPS Medicines Supply Tool added.
18 Jul 22
Shortages log link updated.
