Beef insulin discontinued
InDependent Diabetes Trust
This week, Wockhardt UK has had to announce that the company is discounting supplies of beef insulin.
IDDT formed in 1994 to fight for animal insulins to remain available for the people who need them due to adverse reactions to the genetically engineered human and analogue insulins. This has been made possible by Wockhardt UK’s manufacture of beef (bovine) and pork (porcine) insulins. We have always promised that we would let our members using insulin know as soon as we had any news on future supplies, hence this notification.
This week, Wockhardt UK has had to announce that the company is discontinuing supplies of beef insulin. This is due to worldwide unavailability of the raw materials to make it. They apologise for what this means to people using beef insulin but the situation is beyond their control, indeed, beyond anyone’s control. In fact, only a very small number of people are using beef insulin and we are thankful that Wockhardt has continued manufacture for this very small market. Enclosed with this letter are the details of the anticipated dates that the various beef insulins will no longer be available.
Click here to read the full announcement from Wockhardt UK.
I had a conversation last week with the Managing Director of Wockhardt UK and he asked me to reassure IDDT members that this ONLY applies to beef insulin and the supplies of pork insulin are secure for years to come. So, just to reassure those of you using pork insulin, it WILL remain available, so don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, even if this is said by a health professional!
The Trustees and I are very sorry for the people this affects but we cannot fight the impossible – the reality is that the raw materials are not available anywhere in the world. Again I stress that this discontinuation only affects beef insulin, so people taking pork insulin or any of the genetically engineered human and analogue insulins need have no fears about supplies.
Finally, if we can be of help at any time, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by calling 01604 622837 or emailing jenny@iddtinternational.org
