Frost: Advancements in Glucose Monitoring Focus on Affordable, Accurate Testing
October 31, 2007 // Published as a news service by IHS
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Given the rising diabetic population, there is a tremendous awareness drive that aims to communicate the importance of proper and regular glucose control.
According to Frost & Sullivan, compliance with glucose monitoring is vital to effective diabetes management, but many diabetics fail to test frequently for several reasons, including the complicated nature of glucose monitoring devices and their invasive nature.
"Since the ideal glucose monitoring system would be a completely noninvasive device, different kinds of innovative technologies are under research to achieve this goal and ensure frequent monitoring and better glycemic control," said Frost & Sullivan research analyst Nivedithaa Gopaalakrishnan.
"With consumer-based medical devices, ease of use is also an area of focus. Features ensuring this include the use of graphical user interface, reduction in the number of steps necessary to take a reading and easy-to-use buttons for operation."
Among the notable advancements in the field of blood glucose monitoring for hospital and self-care, is a new, pain-free home care method. This point-of-care (POC) device, designed for spot or continuous monitoring, does not require blood withdrawal and has the capacity to record and display more than 500 entries relating to blood glucose values, date and time.
Analysts said the new system displays glucose excursion trends, supports telemedicine applications and has an invalid measurement alarm, in addition to another that warns the user of low and high glucose levels.
Notwithstanding these advancements, analysts said the major challenge for the glucose monitoring industry is to develop cost-effective technologies that offer quality standards at reasonable costs. Glucose meters are often distributed at heavily discounted prices or given free with the purchase of multiple strips or packets. This free meter proposition is a big challenge for both the major market participants and others who are trying to find a place in the market.
"The single most important reason for low testing frequency of diabetics is the pain associated with finger-stick testing and the repeated trauma to fingers," said Gopaalakrishnan. "Hence, the need is to develop noninvasive/minimally-invasive devices that make it easier, more comfortable and more practical for patients to monitor frequently."
In ensuring the success of their glucose monitoring technologies, analysts said market participants should invest in mass marketing campaigns and diabetes awareness initiatives that can be highly effective in developing brand image and expanding the diagnosed population.
Analysts said while marketing strategies could target the high test frequency consumer population to gain higher market penetration, establishing and developing relationships with primary care medical facilities, primary care physicians, nurses and other medical practitioners will further help widen the customer base.
Source: Frost & Sullivan.