Innovo
Cost:
The Good: When it comes to doing my insulin I never give it very much thought at all. To the point where I totally forget if I’ve done it or not, and on really special days do it twice. So an insulin pen that remembers the last dose and how long ago it was is a dream. Now I don’t have to think about my shots at all at all! It’s easy to use, pretty snazzy & compact and generally very impressive.

The Bad:
Why oh why must we the poor old diabetics be victims of the Cola, oh sorry, insulin wars. I happen to use Humalog (made by Eli Lilly) at mealtimes and Protaphane (made by Novo) morning and night. Would you believe that Humalog penfill cartridges don’t fit in Novo pens or the Innovo either? It’s bloody ridiculous! A few other little gripes about the pen pail into insignificance next to this one, however the big button you have to press to inject the insulin can be quite awkward – a big shock at first but you get used to it. Also, to put the lid back on the pen you have to remove the needle - something which makes disposal of needles while you’re out an issue.

The Verdict:
If I could afford it, I’d buy it. BUT if it could be used with Humalog as well I’d be screaming from the rooftops insisting everyone have one. Looking forward to Innovo version 2 ……

HumaPen
Cost: ?
The Good: I use the Huma Pen for both daytime and nighttime (2 pens so don't have to swap cartridges. Being a fraidy cat when it comes to needles I find these pens great. I have only been diagnosed in the last 6 weeks so did not have to use syringes (except once when I forgot my pen at work and have back up syringe in my drawer. Yuck. If I go out for dinner it is easy to slip into your pocket and you don't have to remove the needles to put the lid on. Also the case has room for a spare cartridge and 3 needles. I think it is fantastic. Still getting used to injecting 4 times a day though. (Neal)

The Bad:
Also, no fancy gadgets like dosage memory. And can only be used with Eli Lilly cartridges. I've also had three of these crap out on me in a way that my trusty Novopen I never did. Definitely take the case with you to protect the pen (Cate)

The Verdict:

A Decent all round Insulin pen.

NovoPen3
Cost: ?
The Round-Up: Bloody heavy, feels 'solid' ie :trustworthy.

But in the back of the mind is the fact that the diameter is twice that of the old 1.5ml cartridge. Ergo the dosage per mm travel of the plunger is 3.14 times as much (math guru alert -ed), is this thing as accurate as the old system (says me,changing from 17 to18 to19 units am at a whisker or adverse reading) ?

Any inaccuracy will be multiplied by a factor big enough to blame the delivery system on my bsl reading going feral. Tried the pen for a week now and had it changed for a new one. During delivery it 'stopped' at 4 units left. A new push at the plunger delivered the last 4 units without any probs, but that wasn't very inspiring , especially at 6.30am 1/4 awake lying in bed and doing it all by ear.

Ah yes, thats something else: the noises during delivery. On the old pen i could count the UNITS going. On this new thing it only goes ticticticticticticttictiicticc?? Where the Hell are we??

But now the real TICKING OFF item : To be able to change to a B&D Pen (or HumaPen) I'll have to change my script and brand of Insulin supplier. Don't these people allready make enough money out of us but to Brand Name their Products and lock us into Their "Preffered Supplier"of insulin? If I by a Holden Car it runs just as well weather i put Ford petrol or Subaru petrol or Nissan petrol into it. So even if i might prefer th eB&D pen i will stick to the novopen ,only to make sure that i have a ready supply of insulin at the local Chemist. (Axel)

The Verdict:

Probably a thumbs down, but Axel didn't say for sure :-) (ed.)