Aventis Pharma Limited announced a joint initiative with SRL Ranbaxy aimed at creating awareness among diabetes patients of the importance of monitoring blood glucose levels and in particular monitoring glycosylated hemoglobin or HbA1C (A1C). A1C is accepted worldwide as the "gold standard" of determining long-term blood glucose control in diabetes patients.

As a part of this initiative, diabetes patients can avail the A1C test at a subsidized cost of Rs.240 (as against a normal cost of Rs.500) against coupons issued by Aventis and SRL Ranbaxy. The coupons will be made available to patients through leading diabetologists and endocrinologists. Samples can be submitted at any of the 250 SRL Ranbaxy diagnostic centres across India.

Internationally the goal of diabetes treatment is to achieve an A1C<7. This is because A1C tests are considered more reliable than fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and post meal plasma glucose measurements (PPG). Studies have shown a clear link between A1C levels and the risk of disease related complications. Every 1 per cent point decrease in A1C results in 35 per cent reduction in microvascular complications and 25 per cent reduction in diabetes-related mortality. A1C levels need to be tested only once in three months.

Announcing the initiative, Dr Sandeep Bhattacharya, director-Commercial Operations, Aventis Pharma Ltd. said, "Much has been heard about the "diabetes epidemic" around the world, but an equally serious problem is that patients diagnosed with diabetes are not monitoring A1C levels and therefore do not know if their diabetes is being treated successfully to a target of A1C< 7. As a result, millions of patients remain at increased risk for the serious consequences associated with uncontrolled diabetes while continuing to spend scarce resources on their medication. Aventis remains committed to partnering the medical profession in treating diabetes to target and we hope this initiative will help inculcate the monitoring habit among diabetes patients."

Vidur Kaushik, CEO SRL Ranbaxy said, "SRL Ranbaxy is pleased to bring to doctors and patients the DS5 HBA1C assay that is certified by the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program of UK and is traceable to the Diabetes and Control Complications Trial Reference method of A1C testing. We are happy to partner with Aventis, as we both are committed and dedicated to bring the best in class treatment and diagnosis, thereby improving quality of life"