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PUTTING THE SITUATION INTO PERSPECTIVE
A significant percentage of people with insulin dependent diabetes (also known as type 1, or juvenile onset diabetes) have discovered they cannot exist satisfactorily on genetically engineered synthetic "human" insulin.
The content of this web page may be seen as alarmist, and that is exactly the intention! Many human lives are at risk if natural animal insulins are ever withdrawn from the Australian market!
Control of an insulin dependent diabetic's blood glucose level is critical!
By use of a blood glucose monitor, injecting insulin at certain times during a day and a regular controlled eating pattern, a diabetic can maintain blood glucose between optimum levels of 4 and 7 mmol/l.
- Too low a concentration of glucose in the blood can result in unconsciousness and possibly death.
- Too high a level of glucose in the blood can result in damage to body tissue. Particularly at risk are eyes, kidneys, heart, nerve fibres etc.
Very valuable warnings of low blood sugar are felt by the diabetic, such as nervousness, sweating, confusion etc.
For some, these warnings are only evident if the insulin injected is animal based (porcine or bovine).
If these people are forced onto synthetic "human" insulin, the warning signs are often not evident, and quite often the first indication of a problem is loss of consciousness.
As unconscious person cannot be given any sugary substance by mouth, intervention by medical or para-medical personnel is required, as an intravenous injection of glucose or Glucagon injection must be given urgently.
The aim of IDDT is to ensure that insulin dependent diabetics will always have the option of using the insulin that is proven to suit them. For some the only option is natural animal insulin, which could be either porcine of bovine based!
Why are the majority of insulin manufacturers hell bent on discontinuing insulins that people are dependent upon to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It has never been proven that there is any positive benefit for anybody using synthetic insulin. It has only been assumed that a close match to natural human insulin would be beneficial! The only known benefit is the profitability improvement for the drug manufacturers! Where is the clinical proof that it it better?
For some, to lose their current insulin could result in deteriorating health and even death, and that is not an option that should be allowed by governments who represent the interests of their people.
Bovine Animal insulins are currently available on prescription in Australia and Porcine is available locally through the Special Access Scheme. They are manufactured in Wales, UK, by Wockhardt and marketed in Australian by:Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd Insulins available in vials only are:
34-36 Chandos Street
St Leonards
NSW 2065
PH: 02 8436 8300
FAX: 02 9901 3540
Email: aspen@aspenpharmacare.com.au
Hypurin Neutral Bovine (beef) fast acting, short duration Hypurin Isophane Bovine (beef) slow acting, long duration Insulins available in vials and cartridges via SAS are:
Hypurin Neutral Porcine (pork) fast acting, short duration Hypurin Isophane Porine (pork) slow acting, long duration
LOCAL LINKS
Obtaining natural insulins in Australia - updated 14 March 2007
Press cuttings & extracts from The Diabetes Australia magazine CONQUEST
Putting the situation into perspective THIS PAGE