Cost-Effectiveness of FreeStyle Libre for Glucose Self-Management Among People with Diabetes Mellitus: A Canadian Private Payer Perspective

Glucose monitoring is important for people living with diabetes. Effective glucose monitoring can reduce the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), diabetic ketoacidosis (a potentially life-threatening complication which occurs when the body has low insulin and high blood sugar levels), and long-term complications. This can be done using finger sticks and test strips or sensor-based devices such as the FreeStyle Libre systems. In this study, we modeled the effect of FreeStyle Libre use in persons living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus in Canada using the DEDUCE economic model. In both analyses, FreeStyle Libre use was predicted to lead to better outcomes (measured as quality-adjusted life years—a measure of health which combines life expectancy with quality of life) for people living with diabetes while reducing costs.