Insulin types available

• Porcine insulin, although needed by some diabetics, is no longer available in Australia as a registered drug on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).  It was withdrawn by manufacturers some 16 years ago.  As from March 2007 it is stocked by Aspen Pharmacare in Australia in both vials and cartridges, and is available under the Special Access Scheme without the need to import.  This alleviates some of the freight charges and ensures it will get to you unspoiled, as it is quickly delivered to your doctor in a cooled package!
  Letter from Jenny Hirst at IDDT International on the re-introduction of porcine insulin into Australia after an absence of 16 years!
  
  
• Bovine insulin is still available in the same way as other medicines, as an approved product on the Pharmaceuticaol Benefits Scheme.   The manufacturer is CP Pharmaceuticals in the UK and it is marketed through Aspen Pharmacare in Australia.  Your doctor can write a prescription and you can obtain it from any Australian pharmacy.  It may not be stocked, but may be obtained promptly from their suppliers!
  
  
• Synthetic 'Human' insulin and Synthetic Analogues are supplied in Australia, usually as first line treatment as in many other countries, but a significant number of people are not suited to these synthetic insulins and therefore need either natural bovine or porcine insulin to control their diabetes and remain healthy with a good quality life.

Obtaining porcine Hypurin insulin directly from Aspen Pharmacare in Australia.  This link provides you with the price, procedure and all the documentation you need in a PDF file to obtain your insulin via the Special Access Scheme (SAS) in just a few days.

• If you obtain your porcine Hypurin insulin in 3 ml injection pen cartridges, you may find that the recommended Owen Mumford Autopen is difficult to source in Australia.
  These pens are available in either 1 step graduations from 1 to 16 units or 2 step graduations from 2 to 32 units.
  Replacement needles are available from the National Diabetic Supplies Scheme (NDSS).
  
  B-D MicroFine + Pen Needle 29G (12.7mm) at $8.00 per box of 100 (or $5.00 concession).
  These will fit the Autopen, according to the pen distributor.   Details on how to obtain the correct Autopen will follow as soon as possible!

  NOTE: The Owen Mumford Autopen 24 is a totally different pen and is unsuitable for use with Hypurin insulin cartridges!  It is intended for use with Lantus insulin only!
   

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LOCAL LINKS

1. Introduction to IDDT-Australia
2. IDDT Australia - Agenda
3. IDDT Australia - Latest News 9 April 2008
4. IDDT Australia - Australian Government Indifference!
5. Availability of animal insulins
6. Obtaining Natural insulins in Australia THIS PAGE
7. Press cuttings & extracts from The Diabetes Australia magazine CONQUEST
8. Event Reports (dangers highlighted)
9. Patient experiences
10. Action Corner
11. Putting the situation into perspective
12. Introducing IDDT - PDF file
13. Diabetes Internet Resources