The role of animal-sourced insulin in the treatment of type 1 diabetes and its availability

As a result of a number of factors, the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes has moved away from using insulin of beef or pork origin to using recombinant (biosynthetic) insulin preparations. However, some people with type 1 diabetes can manage their diabetes better using animal-sourced insulin. Despite dwindling options and decreased production, animal-sourced insulin—and pork insulin in particular—is still available on the Canadian market. This communication describes the actions taken by Health Canada with respect to the availability of animal insulin.