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AVAILABILITY OF NATURAL ANIMAL INSULINS IN AUSTRALIA
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In August 1989 the pharmaceutical companies involved in the distribution of porcine insulins in Australia and the Australian government, took a national decision to replace all porcine insulin with synthetic 'human' insulin. This was to take effect almost immediately and the introduction of this new insulin resulted, almost overnight, in a change over of everyone with insulin dependent diabetes from their natural animal insulin to the new, highly promoted synthetic 'human' insulin. Beef insulin was not withdrawn, although many people were unaware of this at the time.
In August 1999 Novo Nordisk also withdrew their beef insulin. However, beef insulin made by CP Pharmaceuticals Ltd in the UK had also been licensed in Australia for many years, but this was not known by the majority of people with diabetes. Those suffering the adverse effects of synthetic 'human' insulin thought that there were no other insulins available, so had no alternative but to accept the problems.
- People with diabetes were not asked if they wanted to change, they were not given a choice and they were not told that the synthetic 'human' insulin was genetically produced.
- Neither doctors, diabetes educators nor people with diabetes themselves appeared to challenge the claims of the insulin producers that synthetic 'human' insulin had huge benefits that would lead to a better quality of life. No benefit has ever been demonstrated!
- The withdrawal of animal insulin was not questioned.
PRESENT AVAILABILITY OF ANIMAL INSULINS
Note:
- Beef insulins are still made available in Australia by Aspen Pharmacare and they are obtainable through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Porcine insulins are now available in Australia through Aspen Pharmacare via the Special Access Scheme. See Obtaining natural insulins in Australia
- All Novo Nordisk animal insulins have now been withdrawn.
LOCAL LINKS
- Introduction to IDDT-Australia
- IDDT - Australia Agenda
- IDDT Australia - Latest News 9 April 2008
- THE GM INJECTION - Special report from Jo-Ann Goodwin (UK Daily Mail August 2002)
- IDDT Australia - Australian Government Indifference!
- Availability of animal insulins THIS PAGE
- Obtaining natural insulins in Australia - updated 14 March 2007
- Press cuttings & extracts from The Diabetes Australia magazine CONQUEST
- Event Reports (dangers highlighted)
- Patient experiences
- Action Corner
- Putting the situation into perspective
- Introducing IDDT - PDF file
- Diabetes Internet Resources
The following graphics show the range of insulins made by Wockhardt and the approximate response times and duration of activity.
Hypurin Bovine Neutral and Hypurin Bovine Isophane insulins in 10ml vials are available in Australia through your chemist on the National Pharmaceuticals Scheme by doctor's prescription. It will cost a normal prescription charge for 5 vials.
WOCKHARDT (ASPEN PHARMACARE) BEEF (BOVINE) INSULINS Hypurin Bovine Neutral Short acting in 10ml vials, 1.5ml & 3ml cartridges 10ml vials available Australia Hypurin Bovine Isophane Intermediate acting in 10ml vials 3ml cartridges 10ml vials available Australia Hypurin Bovine Protamine Zinc (PZI) Long acting in 10ml vials Not available Australia Hypurin Bovine Lente Long acting in 10ml vials Not available Australia WOCKHARDT PORK (PORCINE) INSULINS Hypurin Porcine Neutral Short acting in 10ml vials & 3ml cartridges 10ml vials & 3ml cartridges available Australia via SAS Hypurin Porcine Isophane Intermediate acting in 10ml vials & 3ml cartridges 10ml vials & 3ml cartridges available Australia via SAS Hypurin Porcine 30/70 mix Mixture of 30% Neutral + 70% Isophane in 10ml vials & 3ml cartridges Not available Australia