Set my data free

Here's something that I just don't get -- and you can certainly call me naive.

<soapbox>

I test my blood sugar readings about 6-8 times each and every day. So over the course of a year I use between 2,200 and 2,900 test strips. At about $0.40 each (I'm being generous here), that means my meter maker is seeing sales of $880 to $1,160 each and every year. Over the last five years they've basically made over $5,000 just from me.

So why is it that they want to charge me $35 for a proprietary cable so that I can get the data out of the meter which might help me better manage my diabetes?

I've used blood equity, time, and money to collect that data. It belongs to me. Why can't I just get it?

I think I've finally realized that device makers don't understand the two ways I use their meters.

Clearly I use meter(s) to tell us what our blood glucose levels are at a given point in time. So I test before I drive, before exercising, before meals. That way I can tell: whether it's safe to drive; have I a good reading before I start my sumo wrestling match; or is it okay for me to eat right now.

But I don't think they understand how important it is for me to have the values for the last month, or the last six months, so I can understand how we're doing on a long-term basis.

Now makers may think that log books would be enough for that kind of tracking. But can a log book automatically draw graphs for me? Can I easily review a months worth of data by flicking through my checkbook-like logbook?

The way I see it these manufacturers are requiring us to spend our own money (because insurance doesn't cover it) to buy a data cable. By holding our data hostage what they're saying is that getting ready access to my data is less important to them than the revenue they receive from their cables.

</soapbox>

Labels: cable, meter

posted by Bernard @ 6:23 AM 5 Comments Links to this post