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Insulin
Dependent
Diabetes
Trust
 

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IDDT does not have a formal group in New Zealand but we do have members who live in New Zealand. Therefore we are aware that some people need beef and pork insulins in order to control their diabetes effectively and some people in New Zealand suffer the same adverse effects of ‘human’ insulin that are experienced by people in other countries.

Meet Jule Connor:
Jule Connor, an IDDT member, needs beef insulin. She obtains it through her pharmacy who import it for her. Jule is very happy to advise other people about the procedure for obtaining beef and pork insulins in New Zealand.

Jule can be contacted in New Zealand by telephone on 0321 31087

Insulin Availability in New Zealand

 ‘Human’ Insulin
People are automatically treated with genetically produced ‘human’ insulin.

Pork insulins
These are not routinely available but on the issue of a prescription from a diabetes specialist [not a GP], pork insulin will be obtained specially and paid for by the Government Health Department.

Beef insulins
These are not available in New Zealand and have to be imported. The Government gives no grant towards the costs of beef insulin or the importation costs unless the person is receiving Benefits or is on a low income.

Adverse reactions to ‘human’ insulin
The majority of people appear to have no problems when using ‘human’ insulin but a minority of people do suffer adverse effects that can appear immediately or come on over months or years. This has been demonstrated by people who have had adverse reactions that have largely disappeared after a change to natural animal insulins. Unfortunately many of the people who have had this experience have not been believed but it has to be noted that it is now accepted that ‘human’ insulin has no clinical advantages for patients over animal insulin.

The most common adverse effects to ‘human insulin reported by patients are:

·         More frequent hypoglycaemia

·         Hypoglycaemia without warnings

·         Extreme tiredness and lethargy

·         Confusion, memory loss

·         Mood swings and behavioural changes

·         Erratic blood glucose levels

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