Roche announced that it has received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) for its Accu-Chek Aviva Plus test system. The new maltose-independent test strip is designed to prevent the interference of maltose on blood sugar readings which can occur in rare cases when drugs containing or metabolizing to maltose are parenterally administered. The Accu-Chek Aviva Plus test strip is cleared for patient self-monitoring of blood glucose and can be used with the proven Accu-Chek Aviva system.

“We are very pleased to announce that our new product for self-monitoring of blood glucose will also be available for people with diabetes in the US,” said Daniel O’ Day, chief operating officer of Roche Diagnostics. “With its advanced technology and chemistry it is designed to support patients to manage their condition more effectively. This clearance is a significant milestone for our organization – one that will position us well for the clearance of other products in our pipeline.”

According to the 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet published by the Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention, more than 25 million people in the US live with diabetes. However, seven million are currently undiagnosed and 1.9 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in people aged 20 years and older in 2010. It is also estimated that 79 million people live with pre-diabetes in the US.

Roche Diabetes Care is a pioneer in the development of blood glucose monitoring systems and a global leader for diabetes management systems and services. For more than 35 years, the Accu-Chek brand has been dedicated to enable people with diabetes to live life as normal and active as possible as well as to empower healthcare professionals manage their patients’ condition in an optimal way. Today, the Accu-Chek portfolio offers people with diabetes and healthcare professionals innovative products and impactful solutions for convenient, efficient and effective diabetes management. It encompasses blood glucose meters, insulin delivery systems, lancing devices, data management systems and education programs – leading to an improved medical outcome.

Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics.