Hypurin Porcine insulin vials discontinuation
On 23 July 2025, the DHSC issued a Medicine Supply Notification for Wockhardt’s Hypurin Porcine insulin range in 10ml vials which are being discontinued.
This includes:
- Hypurin Porcine Isophane 100units/ml suspension for injection 10ml vials (from August 2025)
- Hypurin Porcine Neutral 100units/ml solution for injection 10ml vials (from January 2026)
- Hypurin Porcine 30/70 Mix 100units/ml suspension for injection 10ml vials (from March 2026)
As an alternative to the 10ml insulin vials, healthcare professionals have been advised that 3ml Penfill (cartridges) are available for all the Hypurin Porcine insulins listed above and can support increased demand.
The 3ml penfills (cartridges) can be used in the AutoPen Classic reusable insulin pen device and with the new Mypen2 reusable insulin pen device.
- The AutoPen Classic reusable pen is also being discontinued but there are some pens still available now.
- The new Mypen 2 will be available from the end of September 2025. It dials up 1 unit at a time and can deliver 1 to 60 units in a single injection.
The DHSC is advising healthcare professionals that they should:
- consider prescribing cartridges of Hypurin® Porcine Isophane, Neutral and 30/70 Mix;
- ensure that all patients are informed of reason for the switch and that they are receiving the same insulin contained in the cartridge, but initially they may need to check their blood glucose levels more closely;
- provide patients with training on the use of their new device, including signposting to training videos;
- ensure patients are provided with the AutoPen® Classic until myPen®2 is available, as well as needles and a sharps bin;
- for patients who cannot use these pen devices and have no carers to support them with administration, advice should be sought from the diabetes team on alternative management options.
The main message here is that porcine insulin is going to continue to be available but only in cartridges for use with a pen.
