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Insulin
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Diabetes
Trust
NOVO NORDISK ANNOUNCE DICONTINUATION OF PORK INSULIN IN THE UK
January 31st 2006
Novo Nordisk has announced the discontinuation of all their pork insulin products. The company expects stocks to last until the end of 2007 but there is no guarantee that they will last this long.
Naturally IDDT is angry at this further reduction in choice of insulins for people with diabetes and the total disregard of the needs of the significant minority of people who use pork insulin. Novo Nordisk estimate that 12,000 people are using their pork insulin and this may be an underestimation, but whatever the figures, this is a lot of people who are going to have to change their insulin and not for medical reasons!
The good news is that in the UK is one of the very few countries where there is a second supplier of animal insulins - Wockhardt UK [formerly CP Pharmaceuticals] supply both pork and beef insulins in vials and cartridges for pens. Therefore people using Novo Nordisk pork insulin will be able to change to Wockhardt pork insulins and will not be 'forced' to change to synthetic GM 'human' or any of the analogue insulins, unless they choose to do so.
The nearest equivalent pork insulins from Wockhardt UK for people who are presently using Pork Actrapid, Pork Insulatard and Pork Mixtard made by Novo Nordisk is shown on the chart below. This will help in your discussions with healthcare professionals and regardless of what you may be told, we have assurances from both Wockhardt and the Minister of Health that Wockhardt will continue to make supply animal insulins.
Alternative animal insulins available from Wockhardt UK
Discontinued
Novo Nordisk insulins
Nearest pork insulin available
Beef insulin available
Vials and pen cartridges
Pork Actrapid
Hypurin Porcine Neutral
Hypurin Bovine Neutral
Yes
Pork Insulatard
Hypurin Porcine Isophane
Hypurin Bovine Isophane
Yes
Pork Mixtard
Hypurin Porcine
30/70 Mix
Yes
As ever, we remind you that with any change of insulin, even if it is just changing brands of pork insulin, you do need to monitor blood glucose levels more carefully during the changeover period.
Note: Supplies of Wockhardt animal insulins
IDDT has always argued that to have one supplier of pork insulin for the whole of the UK, leaves people who need it in a very vulnerable position. There have already been production difficulties leading delays in supplies and this is a matter that we have taken up with the Department of Health and will continue to do so.
If you experience any suspected adverse reactions as a result of a change of insulin, do remember that patients can [and should] report them the Department of Health through the Yellow Card Scheme. Here's how to do it:
· if you have access to the internet: go to www.yellowcard.gov.uk and CLICK on submit a Yellow Card report.
· if you prefer to use a paper Yellow Card reporting form: many GP surgeries have the cards or they can be obtained from the MHRA, tel. 0207 084 2000
IDDT would also like to hear of any adverse reactions that you may experience or if you any difficulties in being prescribed Wockhardt pork insulin, so do give us a call on 01604 622837 or e-mail jenny@iddtinternational.org
Please don't hesitate to get in touch if we can be of any help.