Diabetic patients can use the Freestyle Libre sensor to continuously monitor their glucose levels on a smartphone app. Photograph: BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesUS medtech giant Abbott Laboratories is investing €440 million in Ireland with plans for a major new manufacturing plant in Kilkenny and additional jobs in Donegal.
After an initial scan, the sensor sends a glucose reading every minute to a smartphone app. The app will show that current glucose level, a trend arrow showing how your glucose level is changing and plot your last six hours of glucose readings in graph format. The app can also issue alarms if glucose levels are too low or too high. Each sensor lasts for 14 days.
Explaining the decision to bring this new plant to Ireland, he said the company had had a strong track record here over 75 years. It also comes despite the refusal to date by Irish health authorities to approve payment for the Freestyle Libre device in patients older than 21, according to the company.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the investment by Abbott in Donegal and Kilkenny was hugely welcome news.