- FreeStyle LibreLink ¹,² app enables FreeStyle Libre System users to monitor their glucose directly with their iPhone

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Oct. 4, 2018 /CNW/ -- Abbott ABT announced today the company has received the Health Canada license of its FreeStyle LibreLink mobile app for use with compatible iOS smartphones.² People with diabetes living in Canada and using the FreeStyle Libre system are now able to monitor their glucose directly on their iPhones with a simple download of the app at no charge. The FreeStyle Libre system is the first-ever flash glucose monitoring system and was recently recognized in the 2018 Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines as a new category in self-monitoring for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

The FreeStyle LibreLink app enables users to scan their FreeStyle Libre sensor using their iPhone to instantly capture and view their real-time glucose level, their eight-hour glucose history, and a directional arrow indicating how their glucose is changing. Similar to the reader, FreeStyle LibreLink also includes a series of in-app reports that visualize trends and patterns that help patients understand how well they are controlling their glucose.

"The FreeStyle LibreLink app simplifies diabetes management by integrating glucose data directly on the iPhone," said Badia Boudaiffa, general manager, Diabetes Care, Abbott in Canada. "This digital health tool is another step forward in bringing life-changing technology to people with diabetes to help them make more informed decisions about their health."

The FreeStyle LibreLink app has several new features in comparison to the FreeStyle Libre reader,¹ including: a larger, high-resolution display, text-to-speech capabilities for glucose readings (when enabled), the ability to log smaller doses of insulin (0.1 unit versus 0.5 units), and support for 26 languages.

FreeStyle LibreLink users also have the option to automatically share their glucose information with their healthcare professional and caregivers.

FreeStyle LibreLink is now available for free download through the App Store. For more information, please visit: www.myfreestyle.ca.

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.^3,4 The system reads glucose levels through a sensor that can be worn on the back of the upper arm for up to 14 days, eliminating the need for routine fingersticks.⁵

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, 99,000 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, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @FreeStyleDiabet, @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.

Indications for Use

The FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System is indicated for measuring interstitial fluid glucose levels in adults aged 18 years and older who have at least 2 years of experience in self-managing their diabetes. It is designed to replace blood glucose testing in the self-management of diabetes with the exceptions listed below. Treatment decisions should not be based on real-time Sensor glucose readings alone and instead should be based on the combination of the Sensor glucose reading, the Glucose Trend Arrow, and the Glucose Graph. Under the following circumstances, use a blood glucose meter to check the current glucose readings from the FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System Sensor:

• During times of rapidly changing glucose levels, interstitial glucose levels as measured by the Sensor and reported as current may not accurately reflect blood glucose levels. When glucose levels are falling rapidly, glucose readings from the Sensor may be higher than blood glucose levels. Conversely when glucose levels are rising rapidly, glucose readings from the Sensor may be lower than blood glucose levels.
• In order to confirm hypoglycaemia or impending hypoglycaemia as reported by the System's Glucose Messages.
• If symptoms do not match the FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System reading. Do not ignore symptoms that may be due to low blood glucose or high blood glucose.

Always read and follow the label.

¹ Use of the FreeStyle LibreLink app requires registration with LibreView, a service provided by Abbott and Newyu, Inc.

² The FreeStyle LibreLink app is compatible with NFC enabled phones on Apple's iPhone 7 and later, running iOS 11 and later.

³ Bolinder, Jan, et al. Novel glucose-sensing technology and hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes: a multicentre, non-masked, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet 388.10057 (2016): 2254-2263

⁴ Haak, Thomas, et al. Flash glucose-sensing technology as a replacement for blood glucose monitoring for the management of insulin-treated type 2 diabetes: a multicenter, open-label randomized controlled trial. Diabetes Therapy 8.1 (2017): 55-73

⁵ Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings, when you suspect readings may be inaccurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

SOURCE Abbott

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