Leslie Massey
Insulin is a crucial hormone that helps regulate body functions and is vital for people with type 1 diabetes and over 30% of people with type 2 diabetes. In Australia, insulin is supplied by three companies: Lilly Diabetes, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi. Australia was an early manufacturer of insulin, with Australian physicians experimenting with insulin the same year it was developed. Today, insulin is available in Australia in various formats, including rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, long-acting, and pre-mixed insulin. Insulin delivery devices have also evolved, with insulin pens and short, fine needles that reduce injection pain and improve convenience for patients.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Insulin manufacturers in Australia | Lilly Diabetes, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi |
| Types of insulin available in Australia | Rapid-acting, Regular or short-acting, Intermediate-acting, Long-acting, Pre-mixed |
| Example of rapid-acting insulin | Apidra, Fiasp, Humalog, Novorapid |
| Example of regular or short-acting insulin | Actrapid, Humulin-R |
| Example of intermediate-acting insulin | Humulin NPH, Protaphane |
| Example of long-acting insulin | Levemir, Optisulin (formerlyLantus</co: 1,9>, Toujeo |
| Example of pre-mixed insulin | Humalog Mix25, Humalog Mix50, Humulin 30/70, Mixtard 30/70, Ryzodeg 70/30 |
| Insulin delivery devices available in Australia | Syringes, Insulin pens, Insulin pumps |
| Syringe sizes available in Australia | 30-unit (0.3 ml), 50-unit (0.5 ml), and 100-unit (1.0 ml) |
| Needle sizes available in Australia | 6-8 mm |
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What You'll Learn
Insulin types available in Australia
Insulin is a vital treatment for people with type 1 diabetes, and over 30% of people with type 2 diabetes eventually need insulin as well. There are several types of insulin available in Australia, including rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting insulin. Insulin can be administered through various delivery devices, such as syringes, insulin pens, and insulin pumps.
The rapid-acting insulin types available in Australia include Apidra® (insulin glulisine) and Fiasp, which was released in Australia in June 2019. Rapid-acting insulin acts quickly after a meal, similar to the body's natural insulin, and patients must eat immediately or soon after injection. Short-acting insulin, such as Humulin® R, takes longer to start working than rapid-acting insulin, with effects beginning within 30 minutes, and lasting for 6 to 8 hours.
Intermediate-acting insulins available in Australia include Protaphane® (a human isophane insulin). These insulins are cloudy and need to be mixed well before injection. They start working within 60 to 90 minutes, peak between 4 to 12 hours, and last for 16 to 24 hours.
Long-acting insulins available in Australia include Lantus® (glargine insulin), which has a slow and steady release of insulin with no apparent peak action. One injection can last up to 24 hours. Another long-acting insulin is Toujeo (glargine insulin), which has a strength of 300 units per ml, three times the concentration of other insulins in Australia. It is given once a day and lasts for at least 24 hours. Levemir® (detemir insulin) is another long-acting insulin with a slow release of up to 18 hours.
Mixed insulins, such as Humulin® 30/70 (30% short-acting and 70% intermediate-acting Humulin NPH), are also available in Australia. The strength of these insulins is 100 units per ml, and they are usually injected twice daily.
Insulin delivery devices have evolved over time, from glass syringes with detachable needles to disposable plastic syringes and insulin pens. Insulin pens, in particular, have gained popularity in Australia due to their convenience. Syringes and needles are provided at no cost through the National Diabetes Supply Service in most Australian states, and insulin pens are designed by companies to be used with their specific brand of insulin.
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Insulin delivery devices
Syringes are available in 30-unit (0.3 ml), 50-unit (0.5 ml), and 100-unit (1.0 ml) measures, with needle lengths ranging from 6 to 8 mm. Syringes are single-use only and are provided for free for Australians registered with the National Diabetes Service Scheme (NDSS). However, most Australian adults have shifted to using insulin pens for convenience.
Insulin pens can be disposable or reusable. Disposable insulin pens come with pre-filled insulin cartridges and are discarded when empty, after one month of use, or when they reach their use-by date. Reusable insulin pens require the insertion of a 3 ml insulin cartridge and have an insulin strength of 100 units per ml. Insulin pens can be paired with an integrated diabetes management app, allowing for improved self-management through data recording and tracking.
Insulin pumps are wearable devices that provide a continuous flow of insulin under the skin, mimicking the natural release of insulin by the pancreas. They can be used to deliver small and continuous doses of insulin, known as basal insulin, which can be adjusted based on the time of day and an individual's routines. Insulin pumps can also deliver manual doses, known as boluses, based on carbohydrate intake and blood sugar levels. The two main types of insulin pumps are tubed and tubeless, with various brands offering different features such as integration with CGM technology, connectivity to smart devices, and alarms for low battery or out-of-range glucose levels.
Automated insulin delivery systems are also being developed to improve the management of type 1 diabetes. These systems use predictive analytics and CGM data to prevent hypo- and hyperglycemia and automatically correct insulin doses. Examples include the t:slim X2 with Control-IQ and the investigational iLet Bionic Pancreas device.
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Insulin manufacturers in Australia
Australia became an early manufacturer of insulin, with Australian physicians experimenting with insulin for therapeutic purposes as early as 1921, the same year that Frederick Banting discovered insulin could be used to treat diabetes. Eli Lilly is one company that manufactures insulin in Australia.
Eli Lilly Australia encourages users to refer to the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) to fully understand the terms of registration of products in Australia. The company also states that further information relevant to the Australian environment is available by contacting Eli Lilly Australia or via the relevant section of their product page.
There are several types of insulin available in Australia, including rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting insulins. Some examples of rapid-acting insulin available in Australia are Apidra® (insulin glulisine) and Fiasp, which was released in Australia in June 2019. Short-acting insulin begins to lower blood glucose levels within 30 minutes and lasts for 6 to 8 hours. An example of an intermediate-acting insulin available in Australia is Protaphane® (a human isophane insulin).
Long-acting insulins available in Australia include Lantus® (glargine insulin), which lasts up to 24 hours and is usually injected once a day, and Toujeo (glargine insulin), which has a strength of 300 units per ml and is also given once a day. Another long-acting insulin, Novo's Tresiba, received TGA approval in 2019, but it is not yet on the PBS. Sanofi’s long-acting Toujeo U300 insulin was added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in 2019, making it accessible to many more people.
Syringes, insulin pens, and insulin pumps are the main choices for insulin delivery devices in Australia. Syringes are available in lengths ranging from 6 to 8 mm and are single-use only. Most Australian adults have shifted to using insulin pens for greater convenience. Insulin companies have designed insulin pens (disposable or reusable) to be used with their own brand of insulin.
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$16.43
History of insulin in Australia
Insulin is one of the most important discoveries in medical history. In 1921, four Canadian researchers, Frederick Banting, Charles Best, John Macleod, and James Collip, figured out how to isolate insulin from the pancreas and then refine it. The following year, they injected insulin for the first time into a 14-year-old boy, Leonard Thompson, who was dying from type 1 diabetes in a Toronto hospital. This breakthrough saved the lives of millions of people diagnosed with diabetes. Before insulin was discovered, diabetes was considered a death sentence, and the only form of treatment was a starvation diet.
In 1923, insulin became commercially available worldwide, and six-year-old Phyllis Adams became the first Australian to be treated with insulin. The insulin was sent to Sydney on a ship from Vancouver, wrapped in cotton wool. Phyllis weighed less than 10 kilograms when she received her first injection and went on to live a long life, passing away at the age of 81. That same year, Banting and Macleod received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery and isolation of insulin. They shared the prize money with their research assistants, Charles Best and biochemist James Collip.
In 1936, the first commercially available extended-action insulin, PZI, was released, and Sir Harold Percival Himsworth proposed separating diabetes into type 1 and type 2. In 1963, insulin became the first human protein to be chemically synthesized, and the first prototype of a 'pump' that delivered glucagon and insulin was developed. In 1973, Dean Kamen invented the first wearable infusion pump. In 1978, the first genetically engineered, synthetic 'human' insulin was produced using E. coli bacteria, and the world's first portable blood glucose monitor was developed in Australia. In 1980, single-strength insulin was introduced in Australia, and in 1982, the first commercially available biosynthetic human insulin was released for use.
Today, insulin is available in Australia in various forms, including rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting insulins. Most Australian adults use insulin pens for greater convenience, although syringes and insulin pumps are also available as delivery devices.
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Insulin prescriptions in Australia
There are several types of insulin available for prescription in Australia, including rapid-acting, regular or short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting insulin. Mixed insulin is also available, which combines rapid-acting or short-acting insulin with intermediate-acting insulin. The specific brands of insulin available in Australia include Apidra, Fiasp, Humalog, Novorapid, Actrapid, Humulin-R, Humulin NPH, Protaphane, Lantus (now known as Optisulin), Levemir, Toujeo, and more.
Insulin delivery devices have also undergone significant advancements in Australia. While syringes were previously the primary method of insulin injection, most Australian adults now use insulin pens for greater convenience and accuracy. Insulin pens can be disposable, pre-loaded with insulin, or reusable, requiring the insertion of an insulin cartridge. Other delivery devices include InnoLet and NovoLet, which are also pre-loaded disposable devices.
It is important to note that the availability of specific insulin products in Australia may change over time. For example, Novo Nordisk has announced the gradual discontinuation of some of its products between late 2024 and late 2026. Additionally, the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia (TGA) has implemented measures to manage the unavailability of certain insulin products, such as the Ryzodeg Flextouch, by allowing temporary substitutions to ensure patients' access to medication.
In conclusion, insulin prescriptions in Australia have come a long way since the early days of insulin therapy. With advancements in insulin types, delivery devices, and ongoing research, Australians with diabetes have improved access to effective insulin treatments. However, it is crucial to stay informed about the changing landscape of insulin products and their availability to ensure uninterrupted access to medication.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, insulin is made in Australia. In fact, Australia was an early manufacturer of insulin.
There are three companies that supply insulin in Australia: Lilly Diabetes, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi.
The types of insulin available in Australia include rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, long-acting, and pre-mixed insulin.
Apidra, Fiasp, Humalog, and Novorapid are some examples of rapid-acting insulin available in Australia.
Examples of long-acting insulin available in Australia include Levemir, Optisulin (formerly Lantus), and Toujeo.
