Out of the Indian diabetic population of 50 million, it is estimated that  only  2.5 million people are using glucometres and blood sugar monitors. This is where leading diabetic diagnostic kit majors like Johnson & Johnson, Biocon, Bio-Rad, Roche and Abbott are looking to boost sales  going by the huge unmet need.

J&J’s OneTouch Ultra2, according to the company, has  revolutionized the way in which the blood glucose monitors are perceived and used in  India. The meter is also compatible with a software that can be loaded on a computer for a complete analysis of  blood glucose levels. Its before-and-after meals flagging feature is a big boon for both the patients and the doctors as it helps easily adjust medication and diet by looking at these two readings separately.  The meter is also designed to give averages of blood glucose readings for the last 7, 14 & 30 days, separately before and after meals. Further, the product also has an established accuracy.  The 8-year accuracy study results show OneTouch Ultra2 strips to be almost 99 per cent accurate compared to the minimal acceptable accuracy criteria of 95 per cent by ISO.

While, insulin is the primary response to address diabetes, it remains inaccessible on an uninterrupted basis in many parts of the developing world. This is where Biocon’s strategic tie-up with Bayer Healthcare has brought in the  latest hi-tech Blood Glucose Meters branded as 'Breeze'. The product is yet to be launched in the market but the company as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility will distribute  free kits to patients in the economically backward segment on the occasion of the World Diabetes Day observed on November 14. This  initiative of  Self Monitoring of Blood Glucose is the most important part of Diabetes Management,  stated Rakesh Bamzai, president, Biocon Limited.  

Bio-Rad Laboratories, has a novel  new point-of-care HbA1c platform called `in2it' which  helps physicians instantly analyze and obtain a1c value for patients visiting to their labs. The company informed that the product has also been doing significantly well in India.

Roche’s  AccuCheck is viewed as portable, small device which can be easily  carried around.

Diabetologists in the country  are alarmed by the increasing number of cases of diabetics. Out of the 50 million cases,  only 26 per cent are diagnosed and 20 per cent  treated. Seven per cent of these patients achieve a 100 target reading of fasting blood sugar test,  140 in post prandial and 7 HBA1C  test.  “There is need for a huge awareness on the diagnoses of diabetes and monitoring the sugar level primarily because of the related complications arising out the disorders, according to diabetic specialists.