Abbott Donates FreeStyle Libre Sensors for Hospitalised Patients with Diabetes in the UK During COVID-19 Pandemic

·      The charitable donation of 6,500 FreeStyle Libre sensors to hospitals in the UK will help frontline healthcare professionals to discharge vulnerable patients in a timely manner, with safe and effective remote follow-up

·      Data from the FreeStyle Libre sensors will allow healthcare teams to remotely monitor patients' glucose status, helping to maintain social distancing

MAIDENHEAD, 10 June 2020 – Abbott announced today that it will donate FreeStyle Libre sensors, the world's leading¹ sensor-based glucose monitoring technology, to hospitals for use with patients with diabetes who use insulin and are admitted to hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. This will allow frontline healthcare workers to monitor patients' glucose status² and glucose history while in the hospital and also remotely once they have been discharged. As hospitals request, Abbott will donate up to 6,500 FreeStyle Libre sensors to equip as many as 3,250 at-risk patients living with diabetes for a month, so they can go home sooner and stay connected with their healthcare professional post-discharge, helping them to stay well.

“Recent data show that people with diabetes have an elevated risk of adverse outcomes with COVID-19, which is also linked to their glucose control. We are really pleased that Abbott has agreed to our request to help us support patients with diabetes who are admitted to hospital by donating FreeStyle Libre sensors” said Dr Pratik Choudhary, senior lecturer and consultant in diabetes, Kings College Hospital, London and co-chair of the DTN (Diabetes Technology Network). "During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been constantly looking for ways to limit unnecessary exposure between ourselves and patients, especially people with diabetes. The use of the FreeStyle Libre system will facilitate frequent monitoring of glucose for those who need it to control their blood glucose. It also allows us to view patient data remotely, supporting timely discharge with safe and effective remote follow-up."

With Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre system, glucose readings are measured every minute and available with a one-second scan over the FreeStyle Libre sensor using a compatible smartphone³ or reader. The user can get current glucose measurements, historical trends and patterns, and arrows showing where glucose levels are going without having to prick their finger⁴. At the same time, healthcare professionals will receive glucose data and actionable information remotely, to help make important treatment decisions through LibreView⁵, a secure, cloud-based diabetes management system available at no cost to healthcare providers and users. Recent studies have shown that users of the FreeStyle Libre system have improved glucose control⁶, decreased time in hyperglycaemia⁷ and hypoglycaemia⁸ as well as fewer hospitalisations⁹ and lower HbA1C¹⁰ levels.

"Providing frontline healthcare professionals and patients with technology and equipment is critical in the fight against COVID-19," said Neil Harris, general manager of Abbott's diabetes care business in the UK and Ireland. "We’re delighted to make FreeStyle Libre sensors available for hospitalised people living with diabetes, which will help frontline healthcare workers to monitor and manage the glucose levels of these patients better and, at the same time, help limit COVID-19 exposure, helping to keep people safe."

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 through a sensor that is be worn on the back of the upper arm, eliminating the need to prick their finger⁴. The FreeStyle Libre system is now being used by more than 2 million people with diabetes worldwide across 50 countries¹¹. Abbott has secured partial or full reimbursement for the FreeStyle Libre system in 36 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.