Review of Over the Counter and Prescription Continuous Glucose Monitoring

Abstract

Patients with diabetes often self-monitor their blood sugars to assess whether their blood sugar levels are within goal, above goal (hyperglycemia), or below goal (hypoglycemia) based on provider or guideline recommendations. With advancements in diabetes technologies such as wearable glucose biosensors and continuous glucose monitors (CGM), many patients can reduce the number of times they must lance their fingers. The first over-the-counter wearable glucose biosensors for patients with diabetes who do not use insulin or for healthy adults wanting to track their health became available for purchase in 2024. Pharmacists must be equipped to answer patient questions regarding these new methods of self-monitoring blood sugars with wearable glucose biosensors whether the product is OTC or a prescription CGM. This commentary describes the landscape of wearable glucose biosensors with prescription and OTC devices.