Prescribing costs for Insulin Pen Needles is a large expenditure for the NHS particularly as there is a high diabetic prevalence in the UK.

As latest figures have been published on Insulin Pen Needle prescribing for England it has been found and stated that:
“Insulin pen needles range in price between approximately £3.95 to £30.00 per box.

There is no evidence that suggests that there are any significant differences between brands of needles, although there are recommendations about length of needle. NHS England is promoting the use of lower cost needles, i.e. those under £5 per box, which are already in widespread use across the NHS.

If all CCGs in England had prescribed in line with the median, the NHS would have spent £662,835 less over the past 6 months. If they had prescribed in line with the best 10%, it would have spent £1,724,342 less.”

(Source: https://openprescribing.net/measure/lpneedles/national/england/)

Based on the current national guidance and practice most CCG’s are implementing a policy of lower cost shorter length insulin pen needles.

“The Forum for Injection Technique (FIT) UK considers the 4mm needle to be the safest pen needle for adults and children regardless of age, gender and Body Mass Index (BMI). Needles longer than 6mm not recommended. Longer needles may, in some cases, increase potential of inappropriate intramuscular injection of insulin resulting in hypoglycaemia.”

(Source: http://fit4diabetes.com/files/9114/0845/6111/FIT_TP_Needle_Length.pdf)

I conducted a pen needle review at large practice in Leicestershire along with a review of their Diabetes QOF (Quality Outcome Framework) indicators and found that the saving potential just for that single surgery exceeded £7000 for Insulin Pen Needles.

The Prescribing Lead of the surgery signed off on the review and patients were switched to high-quality cost-effective pen needles.