Bayer Diabetes Care introduced A1CNow+, it's innovative, portable, hand-held, meter-based, monitoring system for in-office measurement of A1C (HbA1c) or glycated haemoglobin - an important indicator of long-term blood sugar control.

The reliable, pager-sized A1CNow+ device has single-use, disposable test cartridges and can be used for people with diabetes by their healthcare provider for monitoring of A1C, the clinically accepted standard measure of overall blood sugar control. The A1CNow+ allows for finger stick or venous blood draw testing and immediate, in-office A1C results as compared to more time-consuming lab analysis methods that require venous blood draws and additional follow up.

Studies show that rapid availability of A1C levels improves clinical decision-making and can significantly lower A1C levels. And, for every one-point reduction in A1C, the risk of serious complications is reduced by 40 per cent. To measure A1C using the A1CNow+, you basically need five minutes and a 5 uL of finger stick blood.

With an estimated 40.9 million people currently living with the condition, India leads the world in the prevalence of diabetes. In India's urban areas, approximately 12 per cent of adults live with diabetes, compared to only 7 per cent in the United States (CDC data, 2005) and the United Kingdom. Inadequate control of diabetes can be associated with serious medical complications, including blindness, stroke, heart disease and kidney failure. In fact, diabetes is the second most common cause of blindness in India, surpassed only by cataracts. Additionally, a low-income Indian family with a diabetic adult may devote as much as 25 per cent of the family income to diabetes care.

"Bayer Diabetes Care is proud to be able to provide HealthCare Professionals in India a fast and easy way of getting A1C results in the office," said Rakesh Julka, Country Division head. "Point-of-Care testing with the A1CNow+ lets the physician make on-the-spot treatment decisions, and discuss them with his/her diabetes patients face-to-face. This A1C monitoring system is just one of the ways Bayer Diabetes Care is helping to simply life with diabetes."