Maidenhead, BERKSHIRE, Nov. 10, 2022 – Abbott today announced its FreeStyle LibreLink app is now compatible with Novo Nordisk’s smart connected insulin pens in the UK, which will help reduce the burden associated with diabetes management and personalise care for thousands of people living with diabetes.
People using Abbott’s updated Freestyle LibreLink app and NovoPen® 6 and NovoPen Echo® Plus devices will now be able to easily view glucose and insulin dosing data together4. People can also opt to share their integrated data with their healthcare team through LibreView the cloud-based data system, enabling more informed, data-driven consultations to support personalised care5.
This product integration reflects Abbott’s commitment to make diabetes management easier by linking key technologies such as sensor-based glucose monitoring and smart connected insulin pens.
With this new integration, people living with diabetes can transfer their insulin data from their smart connected pens and quickly see how medication, food and physical activity are impacting their glucose levels, helping them decide when and how much insulin to take. Insulin dosage history is recorded in the FreeStyle LibreLink app, showing the time and the amount taken, alongside glucose levels. This information could help prevent insulin stacking, which is when a person uses rapid-acting insulin, multiple times at close intervals, which can result in low glucose levels. Optional alarms notifying high glucose levels will also be provided6, to help prevent missed doses. These are two issues that are particularly relevant for those who take multiple insulin injections per day.
According to Diabetes UK, 4.9m people are living with diabetes in the UK. This is expected to increase to 5.5m by 20307. The FreeStyle Libre systems are the most widely used glucose sensing technology in the UK, used by around 65 per cent of people with Type 1 diabetes1. In March, NICE published updated guidelines to expand access for this technology for people with Type 2 diabetes who inject insulin multiple times per day8.
Professor Partha S. Kar, OBE, national specialty advisor, diabetes at NHS England and consultant endocrinologist at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, was involved in the pilot of the partnership and said: “It's wonderful to see FreeStyle Libre integrating with key insulin delivery data from the NovoPen devices. This could be a really positive step in helping to make day-to-day management easier for people with diabetes and their healthcare teams. The evidence is undeniable of the benefits broader access to tech can bring for people with diabetes, so I am pleased to see this connectivity now available in the UK.”
Neil Harris, General Manager of Abbott's diabetes care business in the UK and Ireland says: "Access to diabetes data empowers people by removing some of the guess-work related to the relentless management of the condition. Abbott is continuing to pave the way for the future of diabetes care, not only through continuous innovation of the FreeStyle Libre systems, but also by working with Novo Nordisk and other insulin device companies to help further remove some of the daily burden for people with diabetes.”
Abbott is also partnering with several leading insulin pump manufacturers to develop integrated diabetes solutions aimed at simplifying and improving diabetes management. The combination of the company’s glucose sensing technology with insulin delivery and digital coaching leaders, can have a meaningful impact on the lives of people living with diabetes by providing them with technology that helps them personalise their care.
Notes
Case studies available upon request
About FreeStyle Libre:
The FreeStyle Libre and FreeStyle Libre 2 systems include a sensor, which is applied to the back of the upper arm for up to 14 days, paired with a reader or smartphone app that displays glucose readings3. It is the number one sensor-based glucose monitoring system used in Europe and worldwide.9 Abbott's FreeStyle Libre portfolio has changed the lives of approximately 4.5 million people across more than 60 countries10 by providing breakthrough technology that is accessible and affordable.11
About Abbott
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritional and branded generic medicines. Our 113,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Connect with us at www.abbott.co.uk, on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews.
Abbott Media:
Becky Hess, +(0)7748920076
rebecca.hess@abbott.com
Fiona Lloyd
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Fiona.Lloyd@abbott.com
References
1 Data on file. IQVIA prescribing data. May 2022
2 Alva, Shridhara, Timothy Bailey, Ronald Brazg, et al. "Accuracy of a 14-Day Factory-Calibrated Continuous Glucose Monitoring System With Advanced Algorithm in Pediatric and Adult Population With Diabetes." Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology 2022, Vol. 16(1) 70–77
3 The FreeStyle LibreLink app is only compatible with certain mobile devices and operating systems. Please check the website for more information about device compatibility before using the app. Use of FreeStyle LibreLink requires registration with LibreView.
4 FreeStyle LibreLink works with FreeStyle Libre or FreeStyle Libre 2 sensors and is only compatible with NovoPen® 6 and NovoPen Echo® Plus.
5 The LibreView website is only compatible with certain operating systems and browsers. Please check www.libreview.com for additional information.
6 The FreeStyle Libre 2 system comes with optional alarms – low and high glucose levels and signal loss.
7 Diabetes UK , Diabetes Statistics available at https://www.diabetes.org.uk/professionals/position-statements-reports/statistics (last accessed 30 Aug 22)
8 NICE (2022). Type 2 diabetes in adults: management. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG28
9 Data on file, Abbott Diabetes Care. Data based on the number of users worldwide for the FreeStyle Libre portfolio compared to the number of users for other leading personal use, sensor-based glucose monitoring systems.
10 Data on file. Abbott Diabetes Care.
11 Based on a comparison of list prices of the FreeStyle Libre portfolio versus competitor CGM systems available worldwide. The actual cost to patients may or may not be lower than other CGM systems, depending on local reimbursement, if any.
FreeStyle, Libre, and related brand marks are marks of Abbott. NovoPen® 6 and NovoPen Echo® Plus are registered trademarks owned by Novo Nordisk.
© 2022 Abbott. ADC-62577 v2.0 10/2022
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