Sanofi’s new diabetes device: worth the price?
pharmafile | March 12, 2012 | News story | Medical Communications | NHS, Sanofi, app, diabetes, iBGStar, smartphone
Sanofi launched its new iPhone and iPod Touch blood sugar monitor to much fanfare this week, but its high price tag raises questions over its value for money.
A Sanofi spokesperson told Pharmafocus that the price of the iBGStar is set at £48, but most diabetes patients will be able to purchase the device without paying VAT, meaning it will cost around £40.
That’s still a lot of money, especially when other blood glucose monitors (BGMs) are given out free on the NHS. Sanofi, however, said that it would not be releasing its device for free use on the health service.
Sanofi says that its iBGStar is aimed at patients who are not using their free BGMs – the firm believes that if patients have to pay £40 for the new monitor, they are more likely to use it.
It also argues that it is value for money, as Sanofi offers a lifetime guarantee on the device, and it gives doctors and patients more access to more data than other BGMs.
Free app adds to value
Sanofi said its free downloadable app, which gives additional diabetes information and allows users and their doctors to analyse trends and variations in their blood sugar levels, also makes it good value.
The ‘Diabetes Manger App’ also gives users the ability to input specific notes against the readings, such as their carbohydrate intake, their insulin taken, their exercise or other factors, which may help them understand their results.
There are three data-viewing options available with the app: the logbook, a stats page and a trend chart.
The logbook provides an at-a-glance view of glucose readings, while the statistics page displays averages, standard deviation, and total tests for glucose readings. The trend chart plots glucose readings over time.
Sanofi believes that this gives it an edge over other BGMs, which can also track and log glucose levels, because its data is more accessible, comprehensive, and easier to analyse.
The device is optimised for use on Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch, but Sanofi said that it can also be used on the iPad, with the accompanying app.
Apple-specific
But what if you don’t have an Apple smartphone, tablet or mp3 player? Quite simply, you won’t be able to use the iBGStar.
Sanofi said that it has taken them several years to develop its new monitor, and they were more willing to bank on Apple still being around today, than other smartphone and tablet makers such as Android.
There was also the problem of practicality – whereas the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad all have universal slots for such a device, other companies do not, making development difficult.
The iBGStar is only available in Boots for private purchase, and Sanofi said it would not be available on the NHS. The firm is not looking for its iBGStar to replace traditional BGMs, but to be sold to those who are not using their free devices.
To keep up with this traditional market, Sanofi has also released the BGStar, which works as a stand-alone BGM, and will be free for diabetes patients on the NHS.
Easier to use on the go?
Sanofi are promoting the iBGStar as something than can be used by busy, 21st century patients who do not want to carry around clunky medical devices with them – and at one inch, it is much smaller than other BGMs.
But as well as the attachable device, it also comes with a lance to help draw blood, which adds to the overall package. It will also need blood glucose testing strips – which do not come with the device but are free on the NHS – again adding more bulk.
So the actual device may be smaller, but the accompanying (and necessary) additions must be factored in.
For those who are concerned about allowing their medical data to be used by a pharma firm, Sanofi confirmed to Pharmafocus that it would not be collecting or using data from the app or device in any way, and that this would remain private for the users.
Competition
Sanofi is not the only firm to develop this type of device – Medisana’s GlucoDock also measures blood glucose via an attachable device, and is designed to be used with the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad 1 and 2.
It too comes with a downloadable ‘VitaDock’ app that measures and tracks blood sugar rates, and also contains a lancing device, lancets, testing strips and a pouch.
But at a retail price of £79.95 (available via the Apple store), it is nearly double the price of Sanofi’s device.
Ben Adams is the reporter for Pharmafocus and InPharm.com and manages the DigiBlog site. He can be contacted via: email or Twitter.
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