Abbott Introduces New and Improved FreeStyle Lite® Blood Glucose Test Strips in Australia

• New FreeStyle Lite® blood glucose test strips do not use the GDH-PQQ enzyme.
• New FreeStyle Lite® blood glucose test strips are compatible with all FreeStyle Lite blood glucose monitors and offer a better testing experience.

SYDNEY, Australia -1 September 2010 - Abbott today announced Australian availability of its new generation of FreeStyle Lite® blood glucose test strips at the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA) Annual Scientific Meeting. The new and improved FreeStyle Lite blood glucose test strips feature unique ZipWik™ tab technology, which is designed to offer easier and faster blood application,¹ resulting in a better testing experience for people living with diabetes.

"As someone living with diabetes since the age of seven, I have experienced many of the challenges associated with blood glucose testing, including difficulties with blood application and having to use several strips to test one time," said Rob Palmer, Better Homes and Gardens' DIY and Renovating Expert and recent winner of Dancing with the Stars.² "With my busy lifestyle, it's important that I have a product that is easy to use and allows me to test quickly. The new FreeStyle Lite blood glucose test strips have really made a difference in how I test, and given me confidence in my ability to manage my diabetes."

The new FreeStyle Lite blood glucose test strips use a new GDH-FAD³ chemistry that minimises interference from 22 common substances, including maltose, galactose and lactose. The new strips do not include the GDH-PQQ⁴ enzyme, which can be affected by common non-glucose sugars.

"One of my main priorities as a diabetes educator is to help people with diabetes learn to effectively manage their blood glucose levels," said David Irvine, Credentialed Diabetes Nurse Educator. "Knowing that testing can often be difficult or challenging, I am encouraged by new products that are designed to make blood glucose testing easier for patients."

New FreeStyle Lite Blood Glucose Test Strips Achieve a New Level of Accuracy
The new FreeStyle Lite blood glucose test strips are the most accurate ever produced by Abbott and are capable of meeting a tighter accuracy standard than exists today.⁵ The new test strips produce finger-stick blood glucose test results such that 95 percent of results fall within:

• ±15 percent of the true glucose value for glucose values equal to or greater than 5,6 millimoles/liter (mmol/L); and,
• ±0,56 mmol/L of the true glucose value for glucose values less than 5,6 mmol/L.⁶

More precise blood glucose results may help patients maintain their blood glucose levels with a higher degree of accuracy.

The new test strips offer all of the same benefits that FreeStyle Lite users have come to expect, specifically: no-coding required, a small blood sample size and virtually pain-free testing.⁷

The new and improved FreeStyle Lite blood glucose test strips are widely available in Australia at pharmacies with the National Diabetes Subsidy Scheme (NDSS) logo. The FreeStyle Lite blood glucose test strips are currently available in 17 European countries and the United States.

Related Resources and Links

• FreeStyle Lite - Australia: www.freestylelite.com.au
• Abbott Diabetes Care - Australia: www.abbottdiabetescare.com.au
• Abbott: www.abbott.com

About Abbott Diabetes Care

Since 1991, Abbott Diabetes Care Australia has been helping people with diabetes live healthy and active lives through innovative glucose monitoring technology, support and education. Abbott Diabetes Care is headquartered in Alameda, California, and globally is a leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing glucose monitoring systems designed to help people better manage their diabetes. Additional information about Abbott Diabetes Care may be found at www.abbottdiabetescare.com.au and www.abbottdiabetescare.com.

About Abbott

Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs approximately 83,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries. Abbott employs more than 500 people in Australia and New Zealand and has offices located in Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland and Wellington. Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's Web site at www.abbott.com.