The SA Journal Diabetes & Vascular Disease Vol 16 No 1 (July 2019)

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DRUG TRENDS SA JOURNAL OF DIABETES & VASCULAR DISEASE
44 VOLUME 16 NUMBER 1 • JULY 2019
Drug Trends in Diabetes
New technologies launched to protect insulin from temperature fluctuations
Insulin exposed to temperatures outside
the recommended range starts losing its
effectiveness and is at further risk when
exposed to heat by diabetic subjects on
the move. This is according to research
conducted in Europe that found that insulin
stored in domestic fridges is at risk.
Dr Brian Kramer, an endocrinologist from
the Cardiovascular Diabetes Education,
concurs with the research findings, saying:
‘if insulin is accidentally frozen or exposed to
high temperatures, it becomes ineffective.’
To counteract this risk, local company,
MoveIT Solutions, has launched two
innovative products in South Africa,
MedAngel ONE and FRIO® cooling cases,
which work hand-in-hand to monitor insulin
temperature and store insulin at the correct
temperature at home or on the go.
Developed in Europe, the products
are ideally suited to local conditions
that include temperature extremes and
unreliable electricity supply. Around 6% of
our population, or 3.5 million people, live
with diabetes and a further five million are
estimated to have pre-diabetes.
Founder and CEO of MoveIT Solutions,
Gary Broomberg, says: ‘As a diabetic
myself, I became increasingly concerned
about the effect temperature plays in the
deterioration of insulin stored outside the
recommended temperature range, which
for most brands is 2–8°C. I’m an active
outdoorsman and my insulin was often
exposed to high temperatures for extended
periods.’
This led Broomberg to investigate possible
solutions, and ultimately fly to Europe to
engage with MedAngel and FRIO®, securing
licences to represent the products locally.
MedAngel ONE is an app that links a
sensor via Bluetooth to mobile phones,
providing a reliable record of insulin
temperature. The app alerts users when
insulin is above or below the recommended
temperature. The waterproof sensor allows
for monitoring insulin stored in a fridge and
insulin on the move.
Independently tested, FRIO® cooling
cases consist of a range of pouches to store
insulin pens, vials and insulin pumps and
work through a process of evaporation to
keep the contents safe and cool. An inner
pocket is filled with specially developed
crystals that activate when immersed in
water, expanding into a gel and remaining
cool for 45 hours. It will keep insulin
between 18 and 26°C, even in a constant
environmental temperature of 37.8°C.
FRIO® cooling cases come in a range of
sizes, styles and colours and are ideal for
storing insulin pens, insulin pumps and
vials. Paired with the MedAngel ONE sensor,
diabetics have complete peace of mind that
their insulin is safe.
‘Maintaining the correct temperature for
insulin is critical for diabetics, not only when
stored in a domestic fridge, which is subject
to temperature fluctuations, but also for
travel or during sporting activities. Children,
many of whom use insulin pumps, are
especially at risk as they tend to spend long
periods outdoors at school and at home,’
says Broomberg.
The MedAngel ONE can be ordered online
at and the FRIO® cooling
cases at . The products
are delivered by an express courier service.
FRIO® cooling case on belt.
MedAngel ONE sensor in the fridge.
MedAngel ONE sensor in a supplies bag.