Diabetes test could cost as little as 5…..Kounteya Sinha
New Delhi: Blood sugar testing strips could soon cost as little as Rs 5 each.Each strip now costs around Rs 35,which makes it quite expensive for diabetics who need to test their blood sugar levels at regular intervals.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is working on developing the country’s cheapest strips at the behest of Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.ICMR has backed three projects,which will be financially supported by the Union health ministry.
ICMR director general Dr V M Katoch told TOI that one of these tests include checking blood sugar levels with a saliva swab.However,this is still at a concept stage.Two other projects mainly changing existing technologies to more plausible optionsare more promising.It will be ready in the next three years, he said.He is hopeful that more people would start checking their blood sugar levels regularly once testing strips are available for only Rs 5 each.The inexpensive strip is the brainchild of Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.