Breakthrough Innovative Technology Delivers a New Glucose Monitoring Experience for Chinese Diabetes Patients, Enjoying a Free Life Anytime, Anywhere
• The all-new FreeStyle Libre, a groundbreaking technological marvel, will help patients with diabetes break free from the cumbersome routine of blood glucose monitoring and the daily burden of finger pricks, while providing reliable data to support physicians in formulating precise treatment plans.
• The FreeStyle Libre sensor can be worn continuously for up to 14 days, eliminating the need for fingerstick blood sampling and calibration, ushering in a new era of glucose monitoring.
Recently, Abbott, a global leader in healthcare, announced the official launch in China of its innovatively developed, revolutionary glucose monitoring system—the FreeStyle Libre® Flash Glucose Monitoring System. Unlike traditional blood glucose monitoring methods, this system eliminates the need for fingerstick blood sampling, thereby avoiding the associated pain and inconvenience. Leveraging innovative technology, users can simply scan the sensor placed on the back of the upper arm to obtain real-time, accurate glucose readings anytime and anywhere, empowering them to reclaim a life of freedom.
Roger S. Mazze, Ph.D., Chief Academic Officer of the International Diabetes Center (IDC) and Vice President of the Park Nicollet Institute
“The FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system has completely revolutionized existing blood glucose monitoring and diabetes management practices,” stated Dr. Roger S. Mazze, Chief Academic Officer of the International Diabetes Center (IDC) and Vice President of the Park Nicollet Institute. “This innovative technology will help individuals better control their blood glucose levels, further enhancing the convenience and effectiveness of daily diabetes management. Moreover, it provides patients and physicians with a comprehensive profile of glucose fluctuations, thereby offering a reliable reference for discussing and determining personalized treatment plans.”
Pioneering the industry by providing patients with actionable monitoring insights
The advent of the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system aims to transform current blood glucose monitoring practices for patients with diabetes, thereby facilitating better diabetes management. The system features a small, circular sensor (slightly larger than a one-yuan coin) equipped with a tiny probe (5 mm in length and 0.4 mm in width) that is inserted into the subcutaneous tissue on the posterior aspect of the upper arm. This sensor continuously monitors interstitial fluid glucose levels for up to 14 days. When the user places the accompanying handheld scanner within 4 centimeters of the sensor, the device instantly retrieves the current glucose data. The entire monitoring process is painless and requires no fingerstick blood samples for calibration.
After each scan, the reader not only displays the current glucose reading instantly but also shows the glucose profile for the past 8 hours along with trend arrows indicating glucose changes. The reader can store up to 90 days of glucose data. By exporting system data via computer software, users can access the Ambulatory Glucose Profile (AGP) to understand the impact of diet, exercise, and insulin on glucose fluctuations. The AGP visually presents an individual’s daily glucose variations, as well as trends in hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, thereby facilitating better diabetes management.
Professor Ji Linong, Director of the Department of Endocrinology at Peking University People’s Hospital and Chairman of the 6th Committee of the Diabetes Branch of the Chinese Medical Association
Professor Ji Linong, Director of the Department of Endocrinology at Peking University People’s Hospital, Chairman of the 6th Committee of the Chinese Diabetes Society under the Chinese Medical Association, and President-Elect of the International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Region (IDF-WPR), pointed out: “Blood glucose monitoring is a key component of diabetes management. It can reduce the risk of developing serious complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, and diabetic foot. The more frequently blood glucose is measured each day, the better individuals understand their glucose levels. This helps them manage diabetes more precisely, reduce the risk of complications, and improve their health status.”
Combination of Real-World Data and Randomized Controlled Trial Data Demonstrates Tangible Improvement in Glycemic Control
Data from the IMPACT study, published in The Lancet in September 2016, demonstrated that the FreeStyle Libre system significantly reduces time spent in hypoglycemia among patients with diabetes without compromising glycemic control. Furthermore, real-world data from over 50,000 FreeStyle Libre users recently indicated that higher scanning frequency is associated with better glycemic control.
Professor Ji Linong, Director of the Department of Endocrinology at Peking University People’s Hospital and Chairman of the 6th Committee of the Diabetes Branch of the Chinese Medical Association
“This new technology not only provides patients with diabetes a more convenient and painless method for blood glucose monitoring, enabling them to obtain more abundant and accurate blood glucose data, but the glucose variation trends and patterns provided by the system are also clinically instructive. This information can help patients with diabetes and their physicians make informed decisions on dietary adjustments and other behavioral modifications during consultations, thereby facilitating better disease management. It addresses the primary needs of patients,” stated Professor Ji Linong.
Dr. Xiang Yu, General Manager of Abbott's Diabetes Business in China
“A healthy physique is the cornerstone of a vibrant life. Abbott firmly believes that people with diabetes can also freely enjoy a healthy, high-quality, and energetic life. It is for this reason that we are actively developing safe, accurate, and user-friendly diabetes monitoring products to help patients manage their health more effectively and comfortably,” said Dr. Xiang Yu, General Manager of Abbott’s Diabetes Business in China. “The Chinese government is making every effort to advance healthcare reform and has consequently put forward the ‘Healthy China 2030’ Planning Outline. We are delighted to be able to contribute to the advancement of these reforms by introducing breakthrough technologies.”
Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre® Flash Glucose Monitoring System received marketing approval from the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) on July 29, 2016, and is sold through exclusive nationwide e-commerce channels such as Jianke.com.
Diabetes in China
Diabetes is one of the most significant public health challenges facing China. According to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), there are currently 110 million people with diabetes in China, accounting for approximately one-tenth of the adult population, and this number continues to rise. It is projected that by 2040, the total number of people with diabetes in China will reach 150 million, presenting an extremely severe situation. In response, the “Outline of the ‘Healthy China 2030’ Plan” issued by China in 2016 set clear goals for chronic disease management, identifying diabetes prevention and control as a key component in achieving these objectives.
Continuous and accurate blood glucose monitoring is the foundation of all diabetes management plans, but it is not easy for many patients. According to a recent survey jointly launched by Abbott and the Chinese Medical Doctor Association (CMDA), at least 74% of diabetic patients in China fail to monitor their blood glucose levels as recommended by physicians. The primary reasons for this situation are the pain and inconvenience associated with finger-prick blood sampling, as well as patients’ insufficient awareness of the importance of blood glucose monitoring.