(BPT) – Gambling with your health is never a wise choice, especially for the 25 million people in the U.S. living with diabetes¹. However, there are several studies that show some blood glucose meters on the market do not consistently provide accurate results.

Inaccurate readings can be dangerous for individuals with diabetes who use blood glucose meters to make critical health choices every day ”“ such as determining how much insulin to administer, modifying carbohydrate intake and adjusting activity levels. Inaccurate readings can lead to serious health complications, including hypoglycemia and hospitalization.

Three studies recently published in The Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology found that of 41 blood glucose meters tested, more than half failed to consistently meet the global standard for meter accuracy².  Fortunately, these same studies showed that there are blood glucose meters that people with diabetes can trust, such as the ACCU-CHEK® Nano and ACCU-CHEK Aviva meters, which consistently pass global accuracy standards.

Due to mounting concern about the accuracy of blood glucose meters, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently met with industry stakeholders and experts in the diabetes field to review the latest data, and discuss the implications for the diabetes community. The meeting was held in Arlington, VA and organized by the Diabetes Technology Society, a nonprofit organization committed to promoting development and use of technology in the fight against diabetes.

The ACCU-CHEK Nano and ACCU-CHEK Aviva meter and test strip combinations are manufactured in the USA³ and are broadly available in pharmacies and via mail order providers for patients utilizing managed care benefits, Medicare, Medicaid or via cash transactions.

For more information on these studies and ACCU-CHEK products, visit www.accu-chek.com/accurate.

References:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National diabetes fact sheet: national estimates and general information on diabetes and prediabetes in the United States, 2011. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011.
2. Three studies evaluated meters using the global standard of ≥95% of individual glucose results from 3 test strip lots shall fall within ± 15 mg/dL of the results of the manufacturer’s reference method at glucose concentrations >100 mg/dL.  Studies included Freckmann G, et al.  Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. 2012; 6(5):1060-75., Baumstark A, et al.  Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. 2012; 6(5):1076-86., Brazg RL, et al.  Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. 2013; 7(1):144-152.  Studies funded by grants from Roche Diagnostics.
3. Using U.S. and imported materials.

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