Eli Lilly has recently stated that the company does not intend to discontinue pork insulin production. The introduction of human insulin in the 1980's was accompanied by claims that in some patients the symptomatic awareness of hypoglycemia was altered on transfer to human insulin. Human insulin is available in a broader range of formulations, including mixtures, and with more advanced pen delivery formulations. Since the arrival of human insulin, the problem of allergies, lipoatrophy and immunologic resistance to insulin have, for all practical purposes, been eliminated. Experts recognize that for some people who have used animal insulin for some time, there is an adjustment period.
Some individuals report adverse reactions.
The Canadian Diabetes Association reinforces the importance of the transfer process being done under medical supervision. Should physicians require assistance in helping their patients through a transfer process, we have ensured that diabetes experts across Canada can be made available to offer assistance. In addition to the issues already raised, the Marketplace segment also highlighted very select results of a survey that the Canadian Diabetes Association conducted in the Fall of 1996. The survey asked approximately 50,000 readers of Diabetes Dialogue, the Canadian Diabetes Association's consumer based magazine, how changing to a different type of insulin would affect them. A total of 134 people responded, out of which 25 per cent reported having used animal insulin - that works out to be 33 people.