Smart insulin pens can also connect with certain apps that let you keep your insulin dosages and blood glucose data in one place. This means you can look at the timing and dose of your insulin in relation to any food you’ve eaten or activity you’ve done to see how it has affected you. The data can also tell you how much insulin is still working in your body which can help you make decisions for unplanned activity or unexpected sugar readings. Pinder Sahota, General Manager, Novo Nordisk UK, said: “We believe digital innovation of devices and treatments has the potential to transform people’s lives and help alleviate the daily burden of living with diabetes. Once your smart insulin pen is connected to an integrated app, this information can then be sent virtually to help people manage their insulin data more easily and in one place. Currently, insulin injection dosing information is manually recorded in a logbook or app. However, in clinical practice, incomplete or inaccurate information on insulin dosing and timing can be a significant barrier to optimising glycaemic control. Highlights important information such as Average Glucose, percentage of Time In Target and Low Glucose Events.

User guide - Novo Nordisk User guide - Novo Nordisk

Results from an observational study indicate that using NovoPen 6 to administer their insulin could give people living with type 1 diabetes close to two extra hours of improved glucose levels (measured as HbA 1c 3.9 – 10.0 mmol/L) per day, with a reduction in time spent in hyperglycaemia (measured as HbA 1c >10 mmol/L) and level 2 hypoglycaemia (measured as HbA 1c <3.0 mmol/L). A further analysis looking at missed bolus doses (insulin that is specifically taken at mealtimes) indicated that NovoPen 6 decreased the average daily number of missed doses by 43% (p=0.002) by the end of the study.

Long-acting insulin types, brands and pens

Everyone with type 1 diabetes, and some people with type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes, needs to take insulin to help manage their blood glucose levels. This reduces the chances of getting the symptoms of high blood glucose ( hyperglycaemia) and serious long-term problems that can damage the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves and feet. The deal with Roche will also see similar work, where Novo Nordisk insulin data will be synched with Roche’s diabetes management platforms, such as mySugr and Accu-Chek Smart Pix. NovoPen® 6 and NovoPen Echo® Plus are insulin injection pens that record dosing information, including when and how much insulin was administered. Each NovoPen ® 6 and NovoPen Echo ® Plus is expected to last four to five years. NovoPen ® 6 / NovoPen Echo ® Plus comes with a three-year full guarantee and Novo Nordisk will replace any pens that are faulty within that period.

Novopen-echo-plus-IR 8-4261-41-050-2 - Novo Nordisk

As part of one of the agreements, Novo Nordisk will integrate dosing data from connected insulin pens with IBM Watson Health and Glooko’s open ecosystems and diabetes management solutions. Novo Nordisk are delighted to announce the launch of NovoPen® 6 and NovoPen Echo® Plus in Ireland – smart insulin pens that offer digital connectivity for people with diabetes.

Manually logging data is time consuming. It typically did not show the exact time that insulin was administered, for example, before or after a meal was consumed. Smart connected devices reduce this time spent logging and provide more precise data.” Novo Nordisk has announced that the NovoPen® 6 and NovoPen Echo® Plus are both now available on prescription for individuals with diabetes who are treated with Novo Nordisk insulin in the UK. Roche expects Novo Nordisk insulin pen data will sync to the mySugr app and Accu-Chek SmartPix software. For mySugr Bundle users, coaches will now get injection history alongside other diabetes data. Suliqua (which is insulin glargine combined with a medicine called lixisenatide) comes as pre-filled pens. It's used by some people with type 2 diabetes who need both medicines to manage their blood glucose.

Your quick guide to using NovoPen® 6 or NovoPen Echo® Plus Your quick guide to using NovoPen® 6 or NovoPen Echo® Plus

Novo Nordisk believes that digital health solutions such as smart insulin pens will help close the gap between the potential of modern diabetes medicines and the reality that most people struggle to use them to their best effect. Data from NovoPen ® 6 and NovoPen Echo ® Plus smart insulin pens can be wirelessly transferred via NFC technology and are compatible with various diabetes management apps and existing in-clinic solutions, where injection history can be viewed side by side with glucose information. Patients can easily share their data with their diabetes team. Pinder Sahota, general manager, Novo Nordisk UK, said: “We believe digital innovation of devices and treatments has the potential to transform people’s lives and help alleviate the daily burden of living with diabetes. Our smart connected insulin pens aim to empower people to better understand their diabetes management, have more informed conversations with their doctor and ultimately improve their blood glucose control.”For me, the best thing was that it became a safety net in terms of knowing when I last injected insulin. Before insulin pump therapy I had injected over 15,000 times during 10 years with type 1 diabetes and there were times when I would ask myself 'did I give my insulin?'. NovoPens provided me with that answer, which helped to keep me safe.”