Abbott has announced that the FreeStyle® Libre system, the world’s leading continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology, is now available for adults and children (above the age of four) living with diabetes in India and women with gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy), offering them the choice to check glucose levels anytime and anywhere, ultimately improving glucose control.

The FreeStyle Libre sensor measures glucose every minute in interstitial fluid through a small (5.5mm long) filament that is inserted just under the skin and held in place with a small adhesive pad. A quick scan of the sensor with a reader provides a real-time glucose reading on demand and a complete picture of a person’s glucose levels, without the need of painful, routine finger-sticks or daily calibration, enabling meaningful lifestyle and therapy interventions.

FreeStyle Libre is designed for users to be able to check their glucose readings much more simply and frequently, and data show that higher scanning frequency of the technology has been shown to significantly improve time in optimal glucose range.

“Abbott’s revolutionary technology has changed the way millions of people manage diabetes globally and we are excited to bring this life changing technology to India,” said Kalyan Sattaru, General Manager, Diabetes Care Business, Abbott.

Multiple international and national professional medical bodies have recommended CGM use for people with diabetes to target improved clinical outcomes including Indian professional bodies such as Diabetes India and The Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI).

Dr Banshi Saboo, President and lead member, CGM panel, RSSDI said, “Monitoring glucose levels is a pre-requisite to ensure optimum glycaemic control. While glucometers are handy portable devices that help detect the single point-in-time capillary glucose, CGM devices provide complete visibility of the 24x7 glycaemic profile of the patient with diabetes up to 14 days.

Clinical trials and real-world data show that users of the FreeStyle Libre system have improved glucose control, decreased time in hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia as well as reduced hospitalisations, HbA1C levels (average glucose levels over three months), and improved quality of life.