Novo Nordisk recently released an iPhone app meant to help physicians determine the insulin needs of their diabetic patients. The app is meant for healthcare professionals (it starts by asking if you really are a healthcare professional), but anyone may download it. The app conveniently assumes you will be using Novo Nordisk’s insulin analog product line which includes their long acting (Levemir), short acting (NovoLog) and their NovoLog Mix 70/30.
From the press release:
Novo Nordisk announced today the availability of NovoDose™ – the first-ever mobile insulin dosing guide for physicians to look up dosing guidelines and blood glucose goals for their patients with diabetes, a disease that affects nearly 24 million Americans. The guide is available as an application on iTunes and is specific to Novo Nordisk’s modern insulin analog portfolio: Levemir® (insulin detemir [rDNA origin] injection), NovoLog® (insulin aspart [rDNA origin] injection), and NovoLog® Mix 70/30 (70% insulin aspart protamine suspension and 30% insulin aspart injection, [rDNA origin]).
The app itself is pretty looking, but not particularly functional. It contains some basic information about the different insulin analogs, suggestions for titrating and calculating mealtime doses, and some studies backing up the recommendations. It is reminiscent of a pharma pamphlet in its presentation. It does not contain any calculators or input functions. The app might be helpful at times in an outpatient setting, but it is not the comprehensive insulin dosing calculator that health professionals might be looking for.
Product page: NovoDose…
iTunes link…
Press release: Novo Nordisk Creates “App” to Help Doctors Dose Insulin, Supporting New Trend in Diabetes Care…