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. Xultophy (which is insulin degludec combined with liraglutide) is available as a pre-filled pen for people with type 2 diabetes who need both medicines to manage their blood glucose. Key facts Dr Griffin adds that he is also now seeing the benefits of device connectivity in clinics. “The rich data has allowed me to have more meaningful consultations that are beneficial for the person living with type 1 diabetes and their families. Glooko: In January 2017,Novo Nordisk and Glooko announced a partnershipto develop digital diabetes tools together. Since that time, they have launched the Cornerstones4Care app, and the two will continue to work together as Novo Nordisk brings its connected insulin pens to market. Earlier this year, Glooko received FDA clearance for a basal insulin dosing advice app, and we hope to see that come to market at some point. Emma Wilmot, Consultant Diabetologist, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust said:“Integrating innovative technology as a routine part of diabetes care is an important step to improve diabetes care.

User guide - Novo Nordisk User guide - Novo Nordisk

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.” The devices have a dose memory display which shows the amount of time that has passed since the last dose, and they can show a person when a dose has been missed. 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. Reusable Novo Nordisk smart insulin pens will launch first, followed by a Bluetooth attachment for disposable pens later in 2019. Partners include Roche/mySugr, Dexcom, and Glooko

Long-acting insulin types, brands and pens

It's a good idea to carry medical identification such as an insulin safety card or insulin passport – a small card with up-to-date details of the type of insulin you use, and what to do in an emergency. NovoPen® 6 and NovoPen Echo® Plus are insulin injection pens that record dosing information, including when and how much insulin was administered. 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. You can read more about injecting insulin and the different types of insulin pens available. Which smart insulin pens are available? Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring ( CGM) data will be combined with Novo Nordisk connected insulin pen data and “guidance information” to “give advice” that makes diabetes easier. The press release notes broadly that this will happen “in the coming years.” Dexcom recently acquired TypeZero, a startup that has insulin dosing advice algorithms for injection users. One day, it’s very possible Dexcom CGM users on injections will get personalized dosing advice based on their patterns.

Novo Nordisk two smart insulin pens available on prescription

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. Novo Nordisk’s smart connected pens are an example of how technology can support people living with diabetes to gain greater insight into the management of their diabetes, on their journey to becoming experts in their diabetes.” Along with the smart pen news, Novo Nordisk announced data partnerships with Roche, Dexcom, and Glooko. These partners (and likely more to come) will integrate insulin injection data into their apps/platforms, and in some cases, including dosing advice based on it. If you are prescribed a Novo smart pen and wish to use it like a standard insulin pen without the connectivity function, then you can discuss this with your clinic or healthcare provider - for example, so you can see if a different pen may suit you better. How can smart insulin pens affect diabetes management?

Thank you!

I have been using an insulin pump for just over six months now, but before then I was using Novo smart pens. I would use the Echo Plus for my rapid-acting insulin injections, and the NovoPen 6 for my long-acting insulin.

NovoPen® 6 and NovoPen Echo® Plus - Novo Nordisk

Long-acting insulin starts to work after 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the type. It usually lasts for 16 to 24 hours, depending on the type and your dose. You'll usually take it once or twice a day. We’ve seen big strides in the development of insulin pump technology in recent years, and now evolving smart insulin pen technology is showing how these devices can make life a little easier for people who use multiple daily injections.

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James Ridgeway, 34, is a diabetes specialist nurse (DSN) with type 1 diabetes who has seen both the personal and professional side of using smart insulin pens. Commenting on the interoperability between the smart pens and FreeStyle LibreLink, James says: “I have found registering NovoPen devices onto the LibreLink app very simple for myself and people in my clinic. 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. 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.

Injection devices and needles - Novo Nordisk

Dr Griffin adds: “Smart connected pens reduce the likelihood of errors, and this reduces an individual’s anxiety about giving insulin. This is very important. Smart insulin pens are reusable devices that automatically record when a person has injected insulin, including how much has been injected and at what time of the day. 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. A leading global healthcare company has launched two smart connected insulin pens in the UK to improve the lives of people living with diabetes. 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 HbA1c 3.9 – 10.0 mmol/L) per day, with a reduction in time spent in hyperglycaemia (measured as HbA1c >10 mmol/L) and level 2 hypoglycaemia (measured as HbA1c <3.0 mmol/L).Technology is rapidly changing the way we manage and live with diabetes, mainly Type 1 diabetes, and is enabling us to manage our condition better and achieve better long-term outcomes. The availability of new technologies, such as Smart Insulin pens, further enables us to achieve better clinical and quality of life outcomes each day and is a welcome diabetes tool in Ireland”, said Dr Kate Gajewska, Clinical Manager for Advocacy and Research, Diabetes Ireland. 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.” Both James and Tom have experience of connecting their smart pens with the FreeStyle LibreLink, for use with their Libre sensors. On interoperability with connective devices, Dr Griffin says: “Traditionally a person living with diabetes could see their glucose data in one place and would have needed to keep a manual log of their insulin data – often on paper or on a different platform.