It records glucose levels every 15 minutes, capturing up to 1340 glucose readings over 14 days, thus giving the treating doctor comprehensive data for a complete glucose profile of their patient
Abbott launched the professional version of its flash glucose monitoring system, a transformative glucose monitoring technology for people with diabetes. The Flash Glucose Monitoring System is a glucose assessment tool that fundamentally changes how doctors can personalise their patient’s diabetes treatment plans thus allowing patients to better manage their disease.
“India now carries 20 per cent of the global burden of diabetes,” said Robert Ford, Senior Vice President, Diabetes Care, Abbott. “There is an immense need to help people in India better manage their diabetes, enabling them to live healthier lives. Abbott’s Flash Glucose Monitoring System is designed to empower doctors in India to help their patients through rich data and actionable insights.”
Abbott′s Flash Glucose Monitoring System consists of a small, round sensor— slightly larger than a 10 rupee coin. A doctor applies the discreet, water-resistant1 and disposable sensor on the back of the upper arm of a person with diabetes. The sensor is held in place with a self-adhesive pad and remains on the back of the arm for up to 14 days, requiring no patient interaction with the sensor or finger-prick calibration.
The system continuously measures glucose in interstitial fluid through a small (5mm long, 0.4mm wide) filament that is inserted just under the skin. It records glucose levels every 15 minutes, capturing up to 1340 glucose readings over 14 days, thus giving the treating doctor comprehensive data for a complete glucose profile of their patient.
After 14 days, the person returns to the doctor’s office, where the doctor uses a Flash Glucose Monitoring reader to scan the sensor and download the glucose results that are stored in the sensor—in as quickly as five seconds. Scanning can take place while the sensor is under clothing2, making scanning more discreet and convenient.
This data can help doctors have more productive discussions with their patients, make more informed treatment decisions and modify treatment accordingly to suit a patient’s individual lifestyle. These reports can also be used as an information tool by people with diabetes to see the impact of food, medication, health and exercise on their blood sugar levels thus empowering the patient to taking control of their diabetes.
“There is a significantly high number of people with diabetes in India who have poor sugar control despite everything that they do to control it,” said Dr Shashank Joshi, a leading Endocrinologist and Diabetologist and President, Association of Physicians of India. “Current diabetes monitoring tools are limiting since they do not reveal a complete picture of the glucose fluctuations that a person goes through during a day. The reports from Abbott’s Flash Glucose Monitoring System provide me with a complete glucose profile that will help me to make more informed treatment decisions, which in turn will help my patients to better manage their diabetes.”
“Abbott is at the forefront of healthcare innovation, helping people live healthier,” said Dilip Rajan, Country Head of Abbott’s diabetes care unit in India. “Customer insights on the shortcomings associated with current monitoring tools guided the development of the Flash Glucose Monitoring System. This technology will assist doctors manage diabetes of their patients better. We are excited that India is the first country globally to launch the professional version of the flash glucose monitoring technology.”