An “interactive” insulin drug pump system made by Roche has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The diabetes treatment called, the “Accu-Check Combo system,” combines a blood glucose meter with an insulin pump. These two devices are designed to exchange data in both directions via Bluetooth wireless technology, according to the Switzerland-based drugmaker. The system, which is already in use in Europe and Asia, should become available in the U.S. later this year.

Using this diabetes therapy, the meter enables the user to quickly test blood glucose levels and also allows for operating the insulin pump remotely and, by means of an easy-to-handle bolus advisor, it provides support in defining the proper amount of insulin.

A Roche official explained that “This new system is designed to support insulin pump patients in managing diabetes easily and discreetly in their everyday life.” Some 25 million Americans are said to suffer from diabetes, and about three time more are classified as pre-diabetic, in part due to rampant obesity.

The Accu-Check device contains a cartridge holding up to 315 units of insulin, reportedly the largest capacity among pumps sold in the U.S.

Reuters reports that this is the second Roche diabetes product this year under the Accu-Check brand to get FDA approval: “In January, the FDA approved a new Accu-Chek blood glucose monitoring system.”

Roche, which calls itself the world’s largest biotech company, is said to dominate the global blood glucose monitoring market. It is based in Basel, Switzerland, and has a workforce of 80,000 around the world.

Insulin Drug Pump Bluetooth Device Wins FDA Approval is a post from: The Inquisitr