Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: According to the American Diabetes Association, researchers believe that blood glucose monitoring may be helpful even in the short term, particularly for people who struggle to manage their levels or are on insulin therapy. An increase in SMBG (Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose) frequency was associated with a greater reduction in HbA1C. This study aims to understand the cost of access to Glucometer & Test strips, especially in India, as the expense of test strips, which are specific to glucometer brands, makes continuous glucose monitoring economically challenging for multiple patients.
METHODS: An online survey was conducted on the TATA 1 mg website using keywords such as Glucometer, Glucometer Test strips. Platform was assessed for each product’s Maximum Retail Price (MRP), whether only glucometer was present, and if they were offering any combination packages, such as packs with glucometer and test strips, glucometer with test strips and lancet, and glucometer with test strips, lancet, and lancing devices. If the test strips are available in different packs, the number of units present in each package and their costs.
RESULTS: The median glucometer cost was 775 INR (n=16). Test strips are available in packs of 10,15,25,50,100 strips, an average cost of 100 strips of 1900 INR (19 INR per strip), 50 strips of 1200 INR (per strip 24 INR), and 25 strips of 700 INR (per strip 28 INR). Thus, people can save more if they buy a pack of 100 strips.
CONCLUSIONS: There are significant variations in glucometer and test strip prices in India. Large test strip packs offer better values. A combination of a Glucometer with Test strips was found to be the most common practice in the market. Combination packages provide convenience but require further cost-benefit analysis. These findings emphasize the importance of informed consumer choices in managing blood-glucose monitoring costs.