European Diagnostic Manufacturers Association (EDMA) underlines economic value of diagnostics

High-intensity blood glucose monitoring of insulin-dependent diabetic patients would save the healthcare system some Ecu 10,000 ($12,300) per patient compared with standard monitoring, according to Dr Helmut Determann, president of EDMA and chairman of Corange. Speaking at the recent 22nd annual Management Centre Europe Healthcare Conference, Dr Determann pointed out that although such treatment costs Ecu 546 overall per individual more than standard monitoring, it reduces complications and therefore costs in the long-run. "In the end," he said, "laboratory testing allows society to limit the economic burden of diseases, and allow the medical profession to improve cost-benefit ratios."

Between 3% and 10% of the European population and about 150 million people worldwide are affected by diabetes.