Date:03/03/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/03/03/stories/2004030301300200.htm

Back Blood sugar tests at half the cost at Ranbaxy centres

Our Bureau

Mumbai , March 2

DIABETES patients can avail of the A1C test to monitor their blood glucose levels at almost half the cost, as part of a joint-initiative between Aventis Pharma Ltd and SRL Ranbaxy to raise the awareness on diabetes.

The A1C standard is accepted worldwide as the "gold-standard" of determining long-term blood glucose control in diabetes patients and the above initiative seeks to provide the test at Rs 240, as against the original cost of Rs 500, according to a communiqué issued here on Tuesday.

Tests would be done at a subsidised cost against coupons provided by Aventis and SRL Ranbaxy. And the coupons will be made available to patients through diabetologists and endocrinologists. Samples can be submitted at any of the 250 SRL Ranbaxy diagnostic centres in the country, the communiqué said.