A1CNow SELFCHECK, which is now available without a prescription and through leading online pharmacies, provides at-home results within five minutes, has an easy-to-use design and delivers lab accuracy. Measuring A1C levels is important for consistent diabetes management, as even a one-percent reduction in A1C reduces the risk of serious complications by 40 percent.

A1C testing is an important measure of long-term diabetes management, however, some patients will skip having their A1C tested because they’re worried about what their healthcare provider will say if their A1C levels are not good, said Steve Edelman, MD, founder and director, Taking Control of Your Diabetes. A1CNow SELFCHECK is a new tool that allows people with diabetes to test their A1C level in the comfort and privacy of their own home, to get the information they need to manage their disease in-between healthcare provider visits.

At the healthcare provider’s office patients can be tested with Bayer’s A1CNow+ monitor, which provides results within five minutes, enabling physicians to evaluate their patients’ overall diabetes control and discuss lifestyle and treatment modifications during the appointment, rather than waiting for lab results a few days later. A1CNow SELFCHECK complements the healthcare provider-administered A1C test but is not intended to replace it or routine blood glucose testing. Bayer’s A1CNow SELFCHECK, when used in conjunction with Bayer’s CONTOUR or BREEZE2 blood glucose meters, may help patients achieve tighter control in managing their diabetes, and therefore may reduce longer term complications.

Bayer’s A1CNow SELFCHECK provides patients with a new way to partner with their healthcare providers to better achieve good blood sugar control on both a daily basis and over the long-term, said Sandra Peterson, president of Bayer Diabetes Care. This new product builds on our history of innovation, which began with Bayer’s invention of the first portable blood glucose meter 40 years ago, and represents a significant step forward in helping patients simplify life with diabetes.

A1CNow SELFCHECK, available for purchase through leading online pharmacies, comes as a 2-test-kit for a suggested sale price of $29.99.