The cost of the proposed device in the country is estimated to be around Rs 20,000
Picture used for representational purpose. (Photo: AP/File)
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A flash glucose monitoring device, the size of a one-rupee coin, will soon make blood sugar level monitoring a completely prick-less affair.
At the two-day annual Diabetes Convention 2014, which ended here the other day, experts discussed the flash glucose monitoring device (bio sensor) which is expected to hit the markets in a few months. Dr Jothydev Kesavadev who spoke on ambulatory glucose profile said, “The device comes along with a reader which one needs to place on the bio sensor for three to four seconds to get the readings. The device gives approximately 288 readings in 24 hours’’.
The highlights of the device: The sensor is designed to be worn for 14 days, no finger stick calibration required, quick scan of the reader over the sensor collects and displays glucose data, sensor automatically measures captures and stores glucose data.
The cost of the proposed device in the country is estimated to be around Rs 20,000 and the disposable reader which lasts for two weeks, would cost around Rs 1,000. “This device will be a combination of glucometer and continuous glucose blood glucose monitoring and it will replace glucometers,’’ he added.
Dr Dipak Jumani from Mumbai who is also sex specialist, spoke about 20 approved medications and devices for treating sexual problems . “These are therapies which will not increase the risk of complications to other organs including the heart. Some of the drugs which were available in the market previously had a lot of side effects. But now safe therapies are available,’’ he added.
Experts held glucagon mainly responsible for symptoms of tiredness, fatigue and sexual dysfunction and not insulin. Hence diabetes treatment has been focussing on the suppression of glucagon.
“Newer medications are set to come out to suppress or moderate the secretion of glucagon,’’ they said. Dr A.K.Das, Dr Shaukat Saidkot, Dr A.K.Singh, Dr Samar Banerjee and Dr Wasim Hanif spoke about the growing cost of diabetes treatment globally.
The policy makers were making cost calculations including associated complications like cardiac problems, limb amputation, sexual problems, psychiatric issues and renal problems. The treatment of diabetes could become extremely cheap if associated complications were prevented with effective medication.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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