June 25, 2024- Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre portfolio of continuous glucose monitors has revolutionized the way roughly 6 million people worldwide manage their diabetes. The biowearables will be available to U.S. consumers with and without diabetes through two over-the-counter CGM systems cleared by the FDA.
The FDA has cleared Libre Rio, Abbott’s first over-the-counter CGM system for people with diabetes in the United States. Libre Rio is designed for people ages 18 years and older with Type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin and typically manage their diabetes through lifestyle modifications. While FreeStyle Libre systems have been available over the counter over the past decade, they have been available only through prescription in the U.S. By removing the prescription requirement, Libre Rio may make it easier for Americans with diabetes to try a CGM and begin to see progress toward their health goals, empowering them with information to discuss with their healthcare provider at their next visit.
Lingo, the company’s consumer biowearable allows Abbott to expand beyond diabetes care and enter a new market: consumers who are looking to improve their overall health and wellness. Unlike health- and fitness-focused wearable devices, Lingo truly monitors what’s happening inside your body via a tiny filament that rests just under the skin of the upper arm. The Lingo biosensor tracks blood glucose levels, and its customized coaching helps people create healthy eating habits, retrain their metabolism and improve their overall well-being.