The Department of Health and Social Care has issued a medicines supply notification (MSN) for Hypurin Porcine insulin range in 10ml vials which are being discontinued. 

This includes: 

• Hypurin Porcine Isophane 100units/ml suspension for injection 10ml vials
• Hypurin Porcine Neutral 100units/ml solution for injection 10ml vials
• Hypurin Porcine 30/70 Mix 100units/ml suspension for injection 10ml vials.

It is anticipated there will be no stock of Hypurin Porcine Isophane by the end of September 2025, no stock of Hypurin Porcine neutral by February 2026, and no stock of Hypurin Porcine 30/70 Mix by the end of July 2026. 

As an alternative to the 10ml insulin vials, clinicians 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. 

Actions for prescribers 

• Clinicians should not initiate new patients on vials of Hypurin® Porcine insulins
• Patients switching from insulin vials to insulin injections pens, will also require  a prescription for the insulin needles
• 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.

Clinicians should refer to the Specialist Pharmacy Service Medicines Shortage Tool MSN 2025/046 for full supporting information.

ScriptSwitch® messages have been enabled to provide information on this shortage to support primary care.