Medicine shortages are an ongoing challenge across primary and secondary care, impacting patient safety, clinician workload, and NHS resources. This session will explore two strategies for tackling shortages in diabetes care: optimising prescribing to make best use of available stock, and unlocking the potential of biosimilars to deliver both clinical and economic benefits. Drawing on real-world examples from primary care and secondary care settings, we will discuss practical steps for implementing these approaches, engaging stakeholders and maintaining continuity of care. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas for reducing the impact of shortages while improving value for patients and the health system.

• 1) Understand the current challenges and drivers of medicine shortages in diabetes care across both primary and secondary settings.
• 2) Evaluate two key strategies—optimised prescribing and biosimilar adoption—for maintaining care quality and cost-effectiveness during shortages.
• 3) Apply practical approaches to implement these strategies within local practice, engaging stakeholders and improving supply resilience.