Insulin Aspart (NovoLog, Fiasp) is harder to find in 2026. Learn why supply is limited, what's causing the shortage, and how to find it in stock near you.
You show up at the pharmacy. You hand over your prescription. And then you hear those words no one with diabetes wants to hear: "We don't have it in stock right now."
If you rely on Insulin Aspart — sold under brand names like NovoLog and Fiasp — you may have already experienced this frustration firsthand. Pharmacies running low, backorders stretching for weeks, and no clear answers about when supply will return to normal.
You're not alone. Insulin Aspart has been listed on the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) drug shortage list, and the situation has been evolving since 2024. In this article, we'll break down exactly what's happening, why it's happening, and — most importantly — what you can do about it.
Insulin Aspart is a rapid-acting insulin analog used to manage blood sugar in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It works by helping your body move sugar from your bloodstream into your cells, where it's used for energy.
Unlike long-acting insulins that work throughout the day, Insulin Aspart is a mealtime (bolus) insulin. You typically inject it 5 to 10 minutes before eating (or at the start of a meal with Fiasp) to control the blood sugar spike that comes after food.
It's available in several forms:
Millions of Americans depend on Insulin Aspart every single day. When supply gets tight, the consequences are serious.
There isn't one simple reason. The shortage is the result of several overlapping factors:
Novo Nordisk, the maker of NovoLog and Fiasp, announced that it would discontinue NovoLog 10 mL vials, 3 mL PenFill cartridges, and 3 mL FlexPens as of December 31, 2025. That means some of the most commonly prescribed delivery forms are no longer being manufactured.
The NovoLog FlexTouch pen and Fiasp products are still available, but the transition has created confusion and temporary gaps in supply at many pharmacies.
Two biosimilar versions of Insulin Aspart were approved by the FDA in 2025 — Merilog (by Sanofi) and Kirsty (by Biocon/Viatris). Kirsty is the first interchangeable biosimilar, meaning pharmacists can substitute it for NovoLog without needing a new prescription from your doctor.
However, biosimilar supply chains take time to ramp up. Not every pharmacy has stocked these alternatives yet, and insurance formularies are still catching up.
In late 2024, Novo Nordisk announced it would slash insulin prices by up to 75%, with the new prices taking effect on January 1, 2026. As part of this strategy, the company also discontinued its unbranded biologic versions of several insulin products by the end of 2025.
While lower prices are good news in the long run, the transition created short-term supply disruptions as older, cheaper products were pulled from the market before new options were fully available.
Insulin is a biologic product — it's more complex to manufacture than a typical pill. Production scale-up takes months, and any disruption at a manufacturing facility can ripple through the supply chain for weeks or months.
Don't panic — but do take action. Here are practical steps:
Medfinder lets you search for pharmacies near you that currently have Insulin Aspart in stock. It's free and updated regularly, so you can avoid wasted trips to pharmacies that are out.
Large chain pharmacies tend to get hit hardest during shortages because they serve more patients. Independent and specialty pharmacies often have stock when the big chains don't. Call around — it's worth the extra effort.
If your pharmacy doesn't have NovoLog, ask about Kirsty or Merilog. Since Kirsty is interchangeable, your pharmacist may be able to fill your prescription with it directly. For Merilog, you may need your doctor to update the prescription.
Other rapid-acting insulins like Insulin Lispro (Humalog, Admelog, Lyumjev) and Insulin Glulisine (Apidra) work similarly. Your doctor can help you switch if Insulin Aspart is consistently unavailable. Learn more in our guide to alternatives to Insulin Aspart.
Novo Nordisk's NovoCare program can help you find supply and access savings. Visit novocare.com or call 1-888-668-6444.
The Insulin Aspart shortage in 2026 is real, but it's not permanent. As biosimilars like Kirsty and Merilog become more widely available and pharmacy supply chains adjust to Novo Nordisk's product transitions, access should improve.
In the meantime, the best thing you can do is stay proactive. Use tools like Medfinder to track availability, keep your doctor informed, and don't wait until you're completely out to start looking.
For the latest updates on the Insulin Aspart shortage, check out our 2026 shortage update for patients.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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