FDA Green-Lights First Smartphone App For Programming Insulin Doses

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the Tandem Diabetes Care smartphone app to be able to program and cancel insulin doses from the brand’s t:slim X2 insulin pump, in what appears to be the first time an app has been green-lighted for such a purpose.

Patients with the applicable machine can make use of the t:connect mobile app—available on both iOS and Android—to program their bolus insulin doses from the pump. 

Additionally, when connected to the pump, the app can retrieve information on the user’s glucose trends from the last 24 hours, any alerts for changes in status, and insulin therapy data. 

Currently, according to Engadget, most users have to dial in their insulin doses manually. This more convenient method receiving FDA approval could see more brands develop similar apps to make patients’ lives easier.

Fierce Biotech noted that while the app reduces the number of direct interactions patients need to make with the pump, and allows for more discreet monitoring, those who struggle with smartphones can still program the pump independently if they so wish.

If other companies follow in Tandem’s footsteps in creating more convenient devices, it’ll certainly be a boon for diabetic patients worldwide who wrestle with insulin pumps on the daily.

[via Engadget and Fierce Biotech, cover image via Tandem Diabetes Care]