LifeScan Canada collaborates with country's first consumer ehealth service

LifeScan Canada supporting diabetes division of TELUS health space(TM) platform

BURNABY, BC, May 31 /CNW/ - LifeScan Canada Ltd. announced today a collaboration with Canada's first consumer ehealth service. LifeScan will be the first distributor supporting the diabetes arm of the TELUS health space(TM) platform, allowing its customers to track all information related to their diabetes and easily share it with any doctor or other healthcare provider they want over a secure Internet connection.

"As a leader in blood glucose monitoring, we are constantly working to improve the lives of Canadians living with diabetes by bringing patients and healthcare providers the next level in diabetes care," said Peter Menziuso, General Manager, LifeScan Canada. "We are proud to be one of the first device distributors to collaborate with TELUS on this exciting new platform."

TELUS health space(TM) is Canada's first consumer ehealth service that puts Canadians in control of their health information. The service allows people to access their personal health information and a variety of online tools for health and wellbeing, chronic disease management, paediatric care and much more, helping Canadians take an active role in living healthier lifestyles.

"Empowering patients to manage their diabetes, while enabling healthcare providers to capture and track a patient's vital health data, will ultimately help the millions of Canadians living with diabetes," said Menziuso. "The ability to connect patients with healthcare providers in real time with their blood glucose readings could lead to more effective diabetes management."

In Canada, more than three million Canadians are living with diabetes and this number is expected to reach 3.7 million by 2020(1). If left untreated or improperly managed, diabetes can result in a variety of complications, including: heart disease, kidney disease, eye disease and nerve damage(2).

LifeScan Canada's collaboration with TELUS health space(TM) was officially launched at the eHealth conference in Vancouver on May 31, 2010.

About LifeScan Canada Ltd.

LifeScan Canada Ltd., the leading distributor of blood glucose monitoring products, is dedicated to creating a world without limits for people with diabetes. The company markets a wide range of glucose monitoring systems and software for use by people with diabetes and healthcare professionals. For information about diabetes care and LifeScan products and services, visit www.OneTouch.ca

    
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    (1) Canadian Diabetes Association. The Prevalence and Cost of Diabetes.
        Available at: http://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes/what/prevalence/.
        Accessed on May 13, 2010.
    (2) Canadian Diabetes Association. Diabetes Facts. Available at:
        http://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes/what/facts/ Accessed on May 13,
        2010.
    

For further information: Rosalind O'Connell, Edelman, Tel: [phone] ext. 320, rosalind.o'[email protected]