CPL helps school of medicine researchers with glucose testers

CITY Pharmacy Limited (CPL) has submitted three brands of blood glucose testers, or glucometers, for independent quality research conducted by the UPNG School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS).
The eight-week intensive research is being led by three top research students from the SMHS inpartnership with ReachSci, a research group, from Cambridge University in England.
“To allow greater reliability, and transparency, we are presenting these CPL-stocked glucometers for self-monitoring done by diabetic patients and customers in their homes,” CPL Group head of Pharmacy Pradeep Panda said.
“This third party testing will allow for independent analysis on our products, and we are committed to the health and trust of PNG by partaking in this research, and we pledge our support for future partnerships with the UPNG School of Medicine.”
Three women Natasha Sueme, Rose Mayaune, and Dr Shalon Taufa, are representing PNG through the ground-breaking research.
More than 20 countries are participating to check the accuracy and precision of commonly used glucometers.
“We are grateful for CPL for the support, as we are into week three of the research where we are to collect data,” Taufa, who is a doctoral student at SMHS and leader researcher, said.
“The aim of the study is to ensure that glucometers still maintain reliability after pre-market approval by manufacturers.”
The Health Department estimates 60,000 cases but about 10 per cent is reported in the health system.
Also present to receive the donation was executive dean of the UPNG School of Medicine and Health Sciences Prof Nakapi Tefuarani.
“This timely support from City Pharmacy coincides with the university’s five-year plan for Research,” he said.
“We see in our public and private hospitals, and at the largest referral hospital in the country, Port Moresby General Hospital, that there is an increasing number of young people in their 30s being diagnosed with non-communicable diseases such as heart complications and diabetes.
“The only way is innovative researches which would steer health development in PNG.”