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NEWS
Imagining the insulin pen
A little bit about Pride of Britain Lifetime Achievement
award-winner, Dr Sheila Reith CBE.
Sheila Reith's incredible legacy has been
recognised and celebrated including her work
to develop the world's first insulin pen. Various
charities of the day, including Diabetes UK,
funded her research, which was true feat of teamwork as
she worked alongside Dr John Ireland and Dr John Paton.
Their creation of an 'insulin pen' in 1983 changed the lives
of millions of people living with diabetes.
She says, "I remember finding myself in the toilets
at Euston station trying to give my daughter her insulin
injection from a glass bottle and steel syringe. It was such
a palaver. I said to myself, this is absurd! We must make
this easier for people."
With vital funding from Diabetes UK, the first trial of
the invention in 1981 showed that it worked, was accurate
and easy to use. Shortly after, 'Penject' - the world's first
insulin pen - was launched.
It went on to inspire the development of new and
improved insulin pens that continued to further improve
diabetes care. She was awarded a CBE in 2023 for the lifechanging
impact her work has had for people living with
diabetes.
To read more, click HERE.