Choice: A New Amazon Brand for Blood Glucose Meters
By Jimmy McDermott
By Jeemin Kwon and Brian Levine
AgaMatrix blood glucose meters and strips by Amazon could make ordering diabetes supplies more convenient and cheaper
Amazon recently launched a new health brand called “Choice,” which offers blood glucose meters (BGM), strips, and lancets. Having the option to purchase affordable diabetes supplies through a reliable home delivery company like Amazon could lower financial burden and reduce the hassle of going to a pharmacy and waiting in line.
Rather than developing its own device, Amazon has repurposed the AgaMatrix Bluetooth-enabled Jazz Wireless 2 BGM and the Jazz Basic BGM, branded as the Choice Wireless and Choice Basic BGMs, respectively. The Choice Wireless BGM costs $23, and the non-connected Choice Basic BGM is $11.55. Choice test strips come in at $10.99 for 50 strips ($0.22/strip), $18.50 for 100 strips ($0.19/strip), or $34.05 for 200 strips ($0.17/strip).
The Choice Wireless BGM will remain compatible with AgaMatrix’s app at first, though Choice said it will eventually build its own. Notably, the AgaMatrix Jazz BGM did well in the Diabetes Technology Society’s meter accuracy study.
Later this month, the Choice line will also offer five different types of blood pressure monitors, which will range from $20 - $60.
How does it compare to other options?
Roche’s Accu-Chek Guide SimplePay savings program charges $29.99 for 100 strips ($0.30/strip), One Drop Premium is $34.95/month for 100 strips ($0.35/strip) or $24.95 for 50 strips ($0.50/strip), mySugr’s Bundle is $39.99/month for unlimited strips and coaching, and Livongo’s coaching and unlimited strips bundle is $65/month.
While Choice is not substantially less expensive than other options, it is priced competitively. Notably, the comparison to One Drop, mySugr, and Livongo is not apples to apples, as their offerings include coaching services.
