Medical gadget manufacturer Medtronic has teamed up with LifeScan, maker of blood glucose meters. The powers-that-be at those companies say they want to introduce a fab new blood glucose meter to the US market. The meters will be developed by LifeScan for Medtronic and should be reasonably high-tech, with wireless transmission of test results to Medtronic's MiniMed Paradigm pumps or the Guardian REAL-Time continuous monitoring system. Tying it all together: Medtronic's CareLink diabetes management software. The plan is to get the meters on the market by early 2008.The press release announcing the deal made me laugh. It stresses that, in addition to their alliance, Medtronic and LifeScan "will also educate people about the importance of insulin pump therapy and proactive diabetes management." Oh, ha ha. Translation: "buy our stuff. Please!" It's okay Medtronic and LifeScan. Just be yourselves. You exist to make money. We understand that. Just be honest about it and spare us the whole "education" angle.
1. Diane--
You state: "buy our stuff. Please!" I recognize that you are one of those who "get it" but I fear your cynicism is beginning to rival mine. I am so sick of the exploitation of both this disease and its victims who are viewed as little more than CONSUMERS. An occasional "bone" that implies that diabusiness CARES becomes laughable when you consider how long and how frequently it has been used. Guess P.T. Barnum had it right!
Posted at 4:24PM on Aug 25th 2007 by Melody