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ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Aug. 31, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT ) today announced that the Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare (MHLW) in Japan has granted national reimbursement for the FreeStyle ® Libre glucose monitoring system effective September 1, 2017 . The revolutionary system will be widely available to the more than 1 million Japanese people ages six and above with diabetes, both Type 1 and Type 2, on insulin therapy.
Japan has one of the highest rates of diabetes with an overall population of 9.5 million people living with the condition. 1
Two published clinical trials 3 and real-world evidence from more than 50,000 4 users show that people who use FreeStyle Libre system test their glucose levels an average of at least 15 times per day. The studies also show that people who scan more frequently spend less time in hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) while having improved average glucose levels, demonstrating improved glucose control overall.
Abbott's FreeStyle Libre system was introduced across Europe in 2014, and is now available in 39 countries. Japan now joins a group of 16 countries that have partially or fully covered Libre, including large markets such as France and Germany . In the U.S., the FreeStyle Libre system is currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 5
About the FreeStyle Libre System Abbott's FreeStyle Libre system 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 can be worn on the back of the upper arm for up to 14 days, and does not require finger stick calibration.
About Abbott At Abbott, we're committed to helping people live their best possible life through the power of health. For more than 125 years, we've brought new products and technologies to the world -- in nutrition, diagnostics, medical devices and branded generic pharmaceuticals -- that create more possibilities for more people at all stages of life. Today, 94,000 of us are working to help people live not just longer, but better, in the more than 150 countries we serve.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com , www.abbott.co.jp , on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.
1 National Health and Nutrition Survey, MHLW 2 A fingerprick test using a glucometer is required during times of rapidly changing glucose levels when interstitial fluid glucose levels may not accurately reflect blood glucose levels; or if hypoglycemia or impending hypoglycemia is reported by the system; or when symptoms do not match the system readings 3 Bolinder J, Antuna R, Geelhoed-Duijvestijn P, Kroger J, Weitgasser R. Novel glucose-sensing technology and hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetes: a multicentre, non-masked, randomised controlled trial [published online September 12, 2016 ]. Lancet. 2016; Haak, T., Hanaire, H., Ajjan, R., Hermanns, N., Riveline, J., & Rayman, G. (2016, February). Use of novel Flash Glucose-Sensing technology by individuals with Type 2 diabetes on intensive insulin therapy to support self-management. Presented ATTD: Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes - 9th International Conference, Milan, Italy . 4 Data on file. Dunn T, Xu Y, Hayter G; Evidence of a Strong Association Between Frequency of Flash Glucose Monitoring and Glucose Control Measures During Real-World Usage 5 Pending FDA approval. Not available for sale in the United States