MAIDENHEAD, 28 January 2021 – Abbott announced today that it will donate a further 10,000 FreeStyle Libre sensors to support patients with diabetes who use insulin and are admitted to UK hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. NHS Trusts can now make applications directly to Abbott to access this allocation of the world’s leading1 sensor-based glucose monitoring technology.
The donation follows a request from the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists, Diabetes Technology Network (DTN) and comes as the number of people hospitalised in the UK with COVID-19 reaches higher levels than during the first peak of the pandemic last year2,3.
Prof. Pratik Choudhary, Professor of Diabetes at the University of Leicester and co-chair of the DTN said: "Many patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 have diabetes and their glucose levels need careful management. The need for glucose monitoring during admissions and to facilitate safe discharge is even greater than it was in April, so we’re pleased Abbott has been able to answer our request."
Up to 5,000 people can be supported for a month in hospital and at home with this donation. Once they have been discharged, their data can be shared and examined remotely4 to support their care. This means people can be sent home, but still stay connected with their healthcare professional, helping them to stay well.
Neil Harris, general manager of Abbott's diabetes care business in the UK and Ireland said: "We look forward to receiving requests for these 10,000 FreeStyle Libre sensors from NHS Trusts. The process is the same as in June 2020 when we sent 6,500 sensors to UK hospitals. We want to support frontline healthcare professionals and people with diabetes in hospital and as they are discharged home, so we are pleased to help at this time."
About the FreeStyle Libre System
Abbott's FreeStyle Libre system, the world leading sensor-based glucose monitoring technology,1 is designed to change how people with diabetes measure their glucose levels and ultimately help them achieve better health outcomes. The system reads glucose levels in the interstitial fluid through a sensor that is be worn on the back of the upper arm, eliminating the need to prick their finger5. The FreeStyle Libre system is now being used by more than 2.5 million people with diabetes worldwide across 50 countries6. Abbott has secured partial or full reimbursement for the FreeStyle Libre system in 37 countries, including Italy, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.
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, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 107,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.
Abbott Media:
Fiona Lloyd
Tel: +44 (0)1628 644494
Fiona.Lloyd@abbott.com
© 2021 Abbott. FreeStyle, Libre, and related brand marks are marks of Abbott.
References
1 Data on file, Abbott Diabetes Care. Data based on the number of users worldwide for the FreeStyle Libre system compared to the number of users for other leading personal use, sensor-based glucose monitoring systems
2 Gov.co.uk, 2021. Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/healthcare (Last accessed 26 Jan 2021)
3 BBC news. Covid-19 in the UK. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51768274 (Last accessed 26 Jan 2021)
4 The LibreView website is only compatible with certain operating systems and browsers. Please check www.libreview.com for additional information
5 Finger pricks are required if glucose readings do not match symptoms or expectations
6 Data on file. Abbott Diabetes Care
ADC-33743 (v1.0) 01/2021
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