Navigation
Return Home
Tips for the
Visually Impaired
About IDDT
About IDDT
Join IDDT
IDDT Campaigning
IDDT - International
Research Grants
Helping Developing Countries!
Contact Us
Diabetes & Insulin
Facts About Diabetes
GM vs. Animal Insulin
Related Health Issues
Pregnancy Information
Living with Diabetes
Parents/Family Carers
Parents Bulletin
Important Warnings
Diabetes Commonsense
Reviews and Reports
Glossary Of Terms
IDDT News
IDDT News Releases
IDDT Newsletters
Publications
Press Cuttings
Site Navigation
External Links
Site Map
Insulin
Dependent
Diabetes
Trust
.
IDDT United States
LILLY DISCONTINUATION OF PORK INSULIN
July 6th 2005
Despite much lobbying by the many people who need pork insulin, Lilly have announced the discontinuation of Pork Regular and Pork NPH insulins [Iletin II]. They also announced the discontinuation of Humulin U and Humulin L, [GM 'human' insulins].
The discontinuation of pork insulin will leave people with diabetes in the United States without a source of either pork or beef insulin which is extremely worrying for those who have adverse effects when using GM 'human' insulins or the newer insulin analogues. IDDT considers this decision is unacceptable and is yet another demonstration of industry profit being more important than patients' needs.
Importation of pork insulin for personal use
After the discontinuation of beef insulin in the U.S. some people have obtained the beef insulin they need by importation for personal use from a supplier in the UK, Wockhardt UK [formerly CP Pharmaceuticals].
The system for importation of drugs for personal use only applies to drugs that are NOT available in the U.S. This means that once Lilly supplies of Iletin II are no longer available, then the system for personal importation should apply.
If we
can help you in any way please contact:
Contact Wendy Murphy :
e-mail address:
iddtusa@yahoo.com
or
Jenny Hirst:
jenny@iddtinternational.org
or write to:
Wendy Murphy
IDDT USA
PO Box 308
Augusta
Michigan 49012
USA
PRESS
RELEASE FROM LILLY
Lilly To Discontinue Four Insulin Products
July 6,
2005
Innovations in insulin therapy have led to declining use
INDIANAPOLIS, July 6, 2005 - Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced that it is discontinuing production of Iletin® II Pork Insulin (Regular and NPH®formulations), and Humulin®U Ultralente® and Humulin®L Lente®(Humulin U and Humulin L) insulin products. Given current inventories and patient demand, these products should be available in pharmacies through the end of 2005.
"Over the past few decades there has been a great deal of innovation in insulin therapy, such as rapid-acting analogs, analog mixtures, basal analogs and other human insulin products and formulations. As a result, we've seen a significant and steady decline in usage of the products we're discontinuing as doctors continue to move their patients towards newer therapies," said Dr. Scott Jacober, Medical Advisor, Diabetes Care, Eli Lilly and Company.
While over 3.5 million patients with diabetes in the United States currently use insulin, Lilly estimates that less than two percent of these patients will be affected by the discontinuations announced today.
"Lilly is providing information in advance of the discontinuations because our first priority is to make certain that patients transition as smoothly as possible to an alternative insulin therapy, whether a Lilly insulin or not." added Dr. Jacober.
Lilly and other manufacturers currently offer many alternatives to the insulin formulations that are being discontinued. Lilly recommends that patients who are currently using any of these insulin formulations see their physicians so that appropriate changes may be made to their insulin therapy.
Lilly will be providing doctors, pharmacists, nurses and diabetes educators with more detailed information about these product discontinuations, including alternative insulin options. In addition, Lilly is providing health care professionals with tools and information that they may share with their affected patients. Packaging of all impacted insulins shipped to pharmacies after mid-August 2005 will also notify patients of the discontinuation and provide Lilly's toll-free information number.
Changing insulin therapy should only be done under a doctor's supervision.
For more information, people should call Lilly's customer service line at 1-800 LillyRx (1-800-545-5979).
Lilly's
Leadership in Diabetes:
Through a long-standing commitment to diabetes care, Lilly provides
patients with breakthrough treatments that enable them to live longer,
healthier and fuller lives. Since 1923, Lilly has been the industry
leader in pioneering therapies to help health care professionals improve
the lives of people with diabetes, and research continues on innovative
medicines to address the unmet needs of patients. For more information
about Lilly's current diabetes products visit
www.lillydiabetes.com.
About
Lilly:
Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing
portfolio of first-in-class and best-in-class pharmaceutical products by
applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and
from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered
in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers - through medicines and
information - for some of the world's most urgent medical needs.
Additional information about Lilly is available at
www.lilly.com.
Contact: Marni Lemons, Eli Lilly and Company (317) 433-8990.
SOURCE
Eli Lilly and Company
Regular Iletin® II (INSULIN INJECTION, USP, PURIFIED PORK),
Lilly
NPH Iletin® II (ISOPHANE INSULIN SUSPENSION, USP, PURIFIED
PORK), Lilly
Humulin® U ULTRALENTE® (HUMAN INSULIN [rDNA
ORIGIN] EXTENDED ZINC SUSPENSION), Lilly
Humulin® L LENTE ® (HUMAN INSULIN [rDNA ORIGIN]
ZINC SUSPENSION), Lilly
©2003 Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust | Contact Us | Registered Charity: 1058284