We are excited to share updates about our collective push to make sure that everyone can get access to the insulins that work best for them. In November 2024, we submitted an application to the World Health Organization (WHO) to include rapid-acting insulin analogues to the Essential Medicines List (EML). Insulin analogues have historically been excluded from the list due to their high cost, even though we know that when drugs are added to the Essential Medicines List, it brings cost down and increases access. Long-acting insulin analogues were just recently added in 2021 (appearing in the 23rd iteration of the Essential Medicines List) after two rejections.

As people living with diabetes, we know firsthand that rapid-acting insulin analogues are life-changing. Compared to human insulins, rapid-acting insulin analogues (like Novolog, aspart, Humalog, lispro, Fiasp, and more) offer improved glycemic control and greater flexibility in dosing–benefits that make a real difference in daily life. As a T1International community, we believe these insulins must be available and accessible to everyone who needs them.

In February, our application advanced to the next phase of the World Health Organization’s approval process. Since then, we have been busy gathering support to ensure rapid-acting insulin analogues are added to the list. On March 26, we held a global webinar to update our community and invite advocates to take action. We were thrilled to have participants from 28 countries demonstrating that this fight is a global effort.

To keep the momentum going, we’ve launched a Mobilization Working Group where participants will learn how to use storytelling for advocacy. This four-part series dives into the details of our application, how to use your voice to drive change, and how to write and submit a public comment to submit to the World Health Organization in support of our application.

We are now looking ahead to the World Health Organization’s Open Session on May 9, where the Expert Committee will hear from the public about the applications under review. This is a critical opportunity to influence decision makers and show that the global diabetes community is engaged, united, and demanding access.

Take action! First, sign and share our petition to the World Health Organization demanding inclusion of rapid-acting insulin analogues to expand global access by April 17. Second, you can submit a public comment in favor of our application to the World Health Organization by April 18. People living with diabetes are experts in our own lived experience; we invite you to help us create impactful change in the health policy space.

We’ve already reached a major milestone by getting rapid-acting insulin analogues to be discussed by the World Health Organization to be added to the Essential Medicines List, but there is still a long road ahead. Let’s keep pushing for a world where everyone can access the insulin that works best for their health.