Animal-sourced insulin discontinuation: Notice
Date published: March 18, 2025
Date updated: March 13, 2026
On this page
Background
There are 2 types of insulin used to manage diabetes:
- animal-sourced insulin
- human insulin and insulin analogues
Wockhardt UK, the sole supplier of animal-sourced insulin is discontinuing the sale and distribution of its products in Canada. It markets the drug in a vial format under the brand names Hypurin Regular Pork Insulin and Hypurin NPH.
Hypurin Regular Pork Insulin is no longer available and the remaining supply of Hypurin NPH expires in April 2026.
After this inventory has been depleted, no further inventory of these drugs will be available in Canada.
Human insulin and insulin analogues remain available to support the management of diabetes.
What we've done
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.
Health Canada has engaged with other regulatory agencies and industry stakeholders and hasn't identified another supplier of animal-sourced insulin.
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 cannot compel companies to market their products in Canada.
Health Canada has worked with patient and health care professional associations to communicate about the discontinuation and lack of availability of animal-sourced insulin products.
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.
Health care providers can help patients manage this transition using information provided by the:
- Canadian Pharmacists Association
- Canadian Society of Healthcare-Systems Pharmacists
- Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism
Read their guidance on the Hypurin discontinuation (PDF).
Report any problems or adverse events with a health product to Health Canada.
Check this web page regularly as we will update it if new information becomes available.
Learn more about drug shortages in Canada.