Roche, Basel, Switzerland, has obtained the CE mark for its Accu-Chek SugarView smartphone app, which determines blood glucose ranges by taking photos with a smartphone camera without the need for a blood glucose meter.
The designation paves the way for launch of the innovative diabetes management solution in Europe and additional countries that recognize the CE mark. Now officially classified as in vitro diagnostic (IVD) software, the app will be made widely accessible first for certain smartphone models via the Google Play store, enabling broader access to therapy-relevant information for non-insulin-dependent people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
Marcel Gmuender, Roche.
The Accu-Chek SugarView smartphone app determines a patient’s blood glucose range by using an Accu-Chek Active test strip and two photos of the strip taken with a smartphone camera. An easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide leads the user through the testing process. A dedicated algorithm assigns the blood glucose result on the test strip to one of the categories ranging from ‘low’ to ‘very high.’ Based on the test result, the app combines the blood glucose range with basic information on how to take action, such as exercise or eating.
“The broad launch of this state-of-the art digital solution can offer a huge benefit to people in-between doctors’ visits, and to those not having access to appropriate diabetes care and blood glucose monitoring,” says Marcel Gmuender, global head of Roche diabetes care. “Non-insulin-dependent people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes can gain a better understanding of how to live a healthier life through learning how their blood glucose range can vary as a result of their actions.
“Accu-Chek SugarView is an easy-to-use app,” says Gmuender. “In addition, it bypasses the need for a blood glucose meter, making it a very affordable and convenient diabetes management solution. This is especially crucial in emerging markets with often limited access to care and scarce healthcare resources, as the app enables availability of relevant therapy information and support in everyday life.”
According to the International Diabetes Federation, 463 million adults worldwide are currently living with diabetes; it is expected that this number will rise to 700 million by 2045. The most common form is type 2 diabetes, accounting for around 90% of all diabetes cases. More than 50% of type 2 diabetes cases are preventable, yet 79% of adults with diabetes are living in low- and middle-income countries that often do not have adequate resources to address diabetes-related challenges.
For more information, visit Roche.
