United Kingdom - Freestyle Libre 3 - Whatever Happened to the Freestyle Libre 2?

[DavidDK]

Today's internet news cycle reports that Abbott has received a "CE" mark for the third generation of its product: the Freestyle Libre 3. The news reports suggest the Libre 3 is a continuous glucose monitor that will send data every minute via software to a mobile phone.

The news reports indicate the Freestyle Libre 3 will be rolled out throughout Europe in the coming months.

The news articles also hint that the Freestyle Libre 3 will be priced similarly to the first generation Freestyle Libre.

United Kingdom users of Abbott's first generation Freestyle Libre were told the same thing about the Freestyle Libre 2 which is still unavailable in the UK almost 2 years later.

Will United Kingdom users be able to use the Freestyle Libre 2 and the Freestyle Libre 3 ever?

If so when?

Are we going to have to wait until 2022 at the earliest before being given access to the Freestyle Libre 3?

Covid 19 notwithstanding, why is UK availability of the new iterations of the Freestyle Libre taking so long?

Are the MHRA or NHS holding up the release of these products? If so, why?

 

[Hopeful34]

I saw the news about this, and wondered the same things as you. Maybe the NHS haven't 'done a deal' yet on libre 3, or could it be to do with Brexit perhaps, but who knows?!

 

[Damian Adams]

With the problems covid has to blood suger you would have thought the government could have fast tracked the sensor for UK use given its ce approval, push your mp's to ask why.

 

[urbanracer]

Today's internet news cycle reports that Abbott has received a "CE" mark for the third generation of its product: the Freestyle Libre 3. The news reports suggest the Libre 3 is a continuous glucose monitor that will send data every minute via software to a mobile phone.

The news reports indicate the Freestyle Libre 3 will be rolled out throughout Europe in the coming months.

The news articles also hint that the Freestyle Libre 3 will be priced similarly to the first generation Freestyle Libre.

United Kingdom users of Abbott's first generation Freestyle Libre were told the same thing about the Freestyle Libre 2 which is still unavailable in the UK almost 2 years later.

Will United Kingdom users be able to use the Freestyle Libre 2 and the Freestyle Libre 3 ever?

If so when?

Are we going to have to wait until 2022 at the earliest before being given access to the Freestyle Libre 3?

Covid 19 notwithstanding, why is UK availability of the new iterations of the Freestyle Libre taking so long?

Are the MHRA or NHS holding up the release of these products? If so, why?

I work in R+D for a company that makes medical devices and there can be quite a long time between receiving regulatory clearance and getting a product to market.

Having said that, if you visit the Abbott website then the Libre 2 is available to order and has been for a couple of months now.

https://www.freestylelibre.co.uk/libre/#

Post Brexit, I am not sure if the UK is going to accept the CE mark on any Libre 3 device, it may require further approval with the new UKCA mark being applied and that will most likely slow down it's roll out.

 

[DavidDK]

An agreement was reached between the NHS and Abbott that the Freestyle Libre 2 would be available on prescription to NHS funded patients from November 2020.

The Freestyle Libre 2 was supposed to be available for use from January 2021 and all those NHS funded patients who were prescribed the first generation product are eligible to be switched over to the Freestyle Libre 2 once whomever is responsible for prescribing the sensors (prescribing GPs) systems have been updated.

At the moment the switchover appears to be happening slowly, not just because of Covid 19, but because clinical commissioning groups have to sign off on allowing the Freestyle Libre 2 to be prescribed.

The Freestyle Libre 2 is indeed available directly from Abbott for those who are paying for it themselves.

Yes, now that the UK has left the EU, Abbott will have to obtain a UKCA mark for the Freestyle Libre 3, but that won't be too onerous, nor take too long. Most of the time to availability will be taken up by Abbott persuading the NHS to adopt the Libre 3 for its patients, and then getting CCG's to authorise prescribing clinicians to prescribe it.

 

[Damian Adams]

I don't think I will ever get NHS free sensors, I am already using libre two sensors when I can afford them. I was more interested in when they would be on general sale. Type 2 don't get free sensors.
Regards
Damian

 

[DavidDK]

Hello Damian. I'm not sure I understand your query.

As I said above, anyone in the UK can buy Freestyle Libre 2 sensors today from Abbott's website if they want to.

 

[Damian Adams]

Hello Damian. I'm not sure I understand your query.

As I said above, anyone in the UK can buy Freestyle Libre 2 sensors today from Abbott's website if they want to.

Question was about Libre 3 not Libre 2, I'm already using a libre2 when I can afford one. I does not make sense to have a 2 and 3 at the same price on the market when they eventually srrive.

 

[DavidDK]

OK, thanks.

Apart from the manufacturer (and the NHS) no one can know for sure, but it took roughly two years for the Freestyle Libre 2 to become available in the UK (I think it first became available in Germany in 2018), so that might be a guide as to when we might expect the Freestyle Libre 3.

I did see something on the internet which suggested the Freestyle Libre 3 might be available in the UK later this year, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[85percent]

Anyone have an update on when Libre 3 might be prescribed in the UK? Im getting Libre 2 prescribed but the 3 with its much smaller size (less prone to coming off) and the min by min reporting seems a massive improvement.

 

[Sputnick]

Today's internet news cycle reports that Abbott has received a "CE" mark for the third generation of its product: the Freestyle Libre 3. The news reports suggest the Libre 3 is a continuous glucose monitor that will send data every minute via software to a mobile phone.

The news reports indicate the Freestyle Libre 3 will be rolled out throughout Europe in the coming months.

The news articles also hint that the Freestyle Libre 3 will be priced similarly to the first generation Freestyle Libre.

United Kingdom users of Abbott's first generation Freestyle Libre were told the same thing about the Freestyle Libre 2 which is still unavailable in the UK almost 2 years later.

Will United Kingdom users be able to use the Freestyle Libre 2 and the Freestyle Libre 3 ever?

If so when?

Are we going to have to wait until 2022 at the earliest before being given access to the Freestyle Libre 3?

Covid 19 notwithstanding, why is UK availability of the new iterations of the Freestyle Libre taking so long?

Are the MHRA or NHS holding up the release of these products? If so, why?

I HAVE THE FREE STYLE LIBRE 2 ON PRESCRIPTION AND HAVE DONE FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS.

 

[becca59]

Think it unlikely there will be a general roll out, as without ability to download an app you are at a disadvantage. So at this moment in time you have to have a modern phone and it has to be Android. Makes people on a limited budget disadvantaged.

 

[85percent]

Think it unlikely there will be a general roll out, as without ability to download an app you are at a disadvantage. So at this moment in time you have to have a modern phone and it has to be Android. Makes people on a limited budget disadvantaged.

I think the Libre 3 app is available on the iPhone but they probably haven't released the app on the UK App Store. Ive seen demos on YouTube using the iPhone and Libre 3. But either way maybe it is smart phone only... I dont know. But no reason they can't prescribe based on whether the person has a smart phone or not. It's released in Germany and their population cant be any different to ours regarding smart phone usage. Anyway, I hope they offer it soon. The size alone is a big deal and the packaging + plastic reduction.

I email the customer service and this was their response - doesn't make sense / is contradictory to me. Anyone decipher the email?

Dear Customer
Thank you for contacting Abbott's diabetes care division.

The FreeStyle Libre 3 system is not available on prescription. It will be available via the NHS Supply Chain Insulin Pumps, Continuous Glucose Monitoring, Closed Loop Insulin Delivery Systems and Associated Products framework. People with Type 1 diabetes can check the eligibility criteria for real-time CGM on the Diabetes UK or JDRF websites. The FreeStyle Libre 3 system is intended for people with Type 1 diabetes with more complex management needs, who require a real-time CGM.

At this stage, the FreeStyle Libre 3 system is available via the NHS Supply Chain Insulin Pumps, Continuous Glucose Monitoring, Closed Loop Insulin Delivery Systems and Associated Products framework. It is not available for people to purchase directly from Abbott.

Should you have any questions, we are here to help. Please contact us on 0800 1701177* or by email on [email protected].

 

[becca59]

@85percent my feelings on not prescribing it are it’s the NHS. You create a 2 tier. You have to be able to afford the phone. Which I don’t feel is morally right.

 

[Speedbird]

This is interesting. He talks about the Libre 3 and IOS phone so I guess that’s Apple.

 

[Hopeful34]

@85percent My understanding is that a GP cannot prescribe Libre 3. It's a CGM which can only be prescribed by a hospital Consultant, and as the email said it's only for people with more complex management needs. It's available for the hospital teams to prescribe now, but individual CCG's have to agree funding, and that's the sticking point.

 

[85percent]

@85percent My understanding is that a GP cannot prescribe Libre 3. It's a CGM which can only be prescribed by a hospital Consultant, and as the email said it's only for people with more complex management needs. It's available for the hospital teams to prescribe now, but individual CCG's have to agree funding, and that's the sticking point.

I was prescribed by a hospital consultant (I am type 1). Freestyle 2 & 3 do the same thing so on the level of usage - its just an upgrade of the product. I can only imagine is part regulatory and partly gov/health officials getting it into the system. Having a button size device (that presumably gets knocked off less) stuck to your body is more human friendly and more cost effective for the company.

Also, recently the head of some government office said freestyle will be available to all type 1's regardless... but thats a different discussion.

 

[becca59]

I might be wrong and they may indeed prescribe to all. But my feeling is if you cannot afford an up to date phone you will not be able to have it. I don’t think that will sit well.

 

[Mike88]

I use the Libre 2. Whilst it has it's limitations it is a vast improvement on finger pricking. The hypo alarms helped me learn I was going low at night, despite my standard meter readings before sleep & in the morning being in range. I am also now getting the feeling back in my fingertips. My overall control has improved & the more detailed, more complete picture makes me feel a lot safer. I would love to try to Libre 3 mostly because it is smaller &, since it sends a reading every minute to my phone, there is no need to scan & I will get advanced warning of hypos. Useful when exercising. Given the unclear information available at the moment I have been trying to piece things together. Here is what I have found so far...

NICE guidance for T1 has recently been updated & now stipulates that all T1s can have access to CGM including flash, so Libre & Dexcom systems included. It seems that a fair proportion of T1s now have access to a Dexcom product if using closed loop pumps or Freestyle if injecting insulin. The guidance from NICE does have a few gaps e.g. it has missed out people who live alone but the real access point will be your diabetic specialist nurse, so if you haven't discussed this with them start the conversation. Then you can work out which product best suits your needs including access to technology i.e. smart phones.

The NHS have just struck a deal with Dexcom to make their Dexcom ONE available on the NHS. As already mentioned previously, Libre 3 is currently only available for those with more complex needs. Quite what that means hasn't been shared publicly as far as I can see. I suspect the NHS have been waiting for the Dexcom deal to be announced & will use that as leverage when negotiating with Abbott about Libre 2/3. The Dexcom ONE sensor is similar to the D6, so with a larger profile & footprint than with Libre 2 & 3. Dexcom have a 7 due out soon, which looks similar in size to the Libre 3, but no mention of NHS funding for that yet. There is an android Libre 3 app available in the UK but iOS only in Germany at the moment. It is possible to work around that. If people don't have a suitable smart phone then earlier versions have readers. I'm just grateful to have access to insulin & sensors for free. Most countries don't offer that so for now I am happy with my Libre 2.