Abbott receives Health Canada authorization for FreeStyle Libre System

FreeStyle Libre System now available for use in hospitals during COVID-19 pandemic to remotely monitor patients using LibreView, a secure, cloud-based reporting software.

MISSISSAUGA, ON – Abbott announced on April 27 that Health Canada authorized use of FreeStyle Libre system, a sensor-based glucose monitoring technology in hospital settings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a company statement, this will permit frontline healthcare workers to remotely monitor patients’ glucose status and glucose history.

In addition, Abbott also announced the company would be donating 3,000 FreeStyle Libre sensors to ensure hospitals in need have immediate access to the technology.

“The in-hospital challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic have forced frontline workers to think creatively about how to safeguard against unnecessary exposure between themselves and patients, especially people with diabetes,” said Bruce Perkins, director, leadership Sinai Centre for Diabetes and Clinician-Scientist, University of Toronto, in a prepared statement.

“Having access to sensor-based glucose monitoring technology in hospitals is one such creative solution to significantly help healthcare workers closely monitor glucose status while limiting direct contact and preserving valuable personal protective equipment.”

With a one-second scan using a reader or smartphone over the FreeStyle Libre sensor worn on the back of the upper arm, glucose readings are measured every minute and the user has the capacity to receive current glucose measurements, historical trends and patterns, and arrows showing where glucose levels are going without having to fingerstick.

Concurrently, physicians will receive glucose data and actionable information remotely to help make important treatment decisions through LibreView, a cloud-based diabetes management system available at no cost to healthcare providers and users.

“Providing frontline healthcare workers with technology and equipment is critical in the fight against COVID-19,” said Marie-Flore Nabor, general manager of Abbott’s diabetes care business in Canada, in a prepared statement. “Health Canada’s quick action to make FreeStyle Libre sensors available in hospitals will help frontline healthcare workers better monitor and manage the glucose levels of patients and, at the same time, help limit COVID-19 exposure.”

More than 15% of Canadians diagnosed with COVID-19 are hospitalized, according to Health Canada. The use of the FreeStyle Libre system in Canadian hospitals received support from the country’s diabetes organizations, including Diabetes Canada and Diabète Quebec.