Notice: Animal-sourced insulin discontinuation
Date published: March 18, 2025
Date updated: March 18, 2025
On this page
Background on animal-sourced insulin in Canada
There are 2 types of insulin used to manage diabetes:
- animal-sourced insulin
- human insulin and insulin analogues
Wockhardt UK is the sole supplier of animal-sourced insulin in Canada. It markets the drug in a vial format under the brand names Hypurin Regular Pork Insulin and Hypurin NPH. Wockhardt UK has decided to discontinue the sale and distribution of Hypurin Regular Pork Insulin and Hypurin NPH in Canada.
Canada’s inventory of Hypurin Regular Pork Insulin expires in December 2025 and Hypurin NPH in April 2026. We have authorized the importation of UK-authorized Hypurin Regular Pork Insulin and Hypurin NPH vials, which expire in May 2026. Wockhardt UK is working to bring this inventory to Canada. No additional inventory of these drugs will be available in Canada after this inventory has been depleted.
Human insulin and insulin analogues remain available to support the management of diabetes.
What we're doing
Health Canada recognizes the importance of animal-sourced insulin for people living with diabetes. Since the early 2000s, we have worked within the limits of our mandate to support the availability of animal-sourced insulin in Canada.
Now that the product is discontinued, Health Canada is:
- working with the importer to monitor remaining supply
- exploring ways to potentially increase supply to extend animal-sourced insulin availability in the short term through the import of limited UK-authorized inventory
Health Canada has engaged with other regulatory agencies and industry stakeholders and hasn’t identified another source of animal-sourced insulin. Health Canada has engaged with its regulatory partners in the US, Australia and Europe and confirmed that no animal-sourced insulin drugs are licensed in those jurisdictions.
Wockhardt UK markets a porcine-derived insulin cartridge in the United Kingdom, however the company has decided not to market the drug in Canada. Health Canada doesn’t have the regulatory power to compel companies to market their products in Canada.
Health Canada is working with patient associations for people in Canada living with diabetes and health care professional associations to communicate about the discontinuation and lack of availability of animal-sourced insulin products.
Health care providers can help patients manage this transition using information provided by the:
- Canadian Pharmacists Association
- Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists
- Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism
Read their guidance on the Hypurin discontinuation.
What you can do
Speak to your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions or concerns about this discontinuation, and to discuss alternative treatments.
Report any problems or adverse events with a health product to Health Canada.
Check this web page regularly as we will update it when new information becomes available.
Learn more about drug shortages in Canada.
Related links
Page details
- Date modified: