Brazil Ministry of Health initiates insulin transition and El Niño preparedness

The Brazilian Ministry of Health, in partnership with the National Council of Municipal Health Secretariats (Conasems), has launched a national strategy to transition from NPH human insulin to glargine insulin within the Unified Health System (SUS). This initiative includes professional qualification, care organization, and the strengthening of domestic medication production to address global NPH insulin shortages.

The transition targets children with type 1 diabetes (ages 2 to under 18) and individuals over 70 with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Glargine, a long-acting analog, offers greater glucose stability and improved quality of life through typically once-daily administration.

Separately, the Ministry of Health presented a preparation and response plan to state secretaries regarding the El Niño phenomenon expected for 2026-2027. The plan addresses potential climate-related health impacts, such as droughts in the North and Center-West, heatwaves in the Southeast, and flooding in the South, through five strategic axes including emergency pharmaceutical kits and the deployment of the SUS National Force.