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The exciting news diabetics have all been waiting for, Libre 3 Plus is now available in Canada! Abbott’s Libre 3 CGM (continuous glucose monitor) was approved for use by Heath Canada on July 21, 2023. This exciting news of Libre 3’s approval brings this long-anticipated upgrade to Libre 2 one step closer to diabetics across Canada. Just over two years later, Abbott has announced that Libre 3 Plus is now shipping and available from your local pharmacy.
What do we know about the new Freestyle Libre 3?
Do you still need to scan Libre 3?
No More Scanning is required. The FreeStyle Libre 3 (manufactured by Abbott) differs from earlier Libre models, in that it does not require regular scanning to obtain a glucose level and will provide blood glucose threshold alerts alongside readings every minute. You read that right – NO MORE SCANNING with our phones or Libre reader.
Is Libre 3 the same size as Libre 2?
Libre 3 is significantly smaller, In fact, the Libre 3 continuous glucose system is 70% smaller than FreeSyle Libre 2. It is 70% smaller than the FreeStyle Libre 2, comparable to 2 pennies stacked on top of one another. Abbott describes the Libre 3 as the world’s thinnest, and most discreet sensor. In contrast, Libre 2 is about the size of two quarters stacked on top of one another.
Will Libre 3 require a new app?
Yes, Using the United States and Europe, similar to the shift from Libre to Libre 2, it is expected that Libre 3 will use a new version of the mobile app to be installed on your phone. The Health Canada approval of Libre 3 includes apps for iOS, Android, as well as a Libre 3 reader. Taking a look at the Apple App Store, as of July 1st, 2025, there is a Freestyle Libre 3 – CA app available in the Canada store.
Is Libre 3 Approved in Canada?
Yes, Libre 3 was approved and received clearance from Health Canada on Friday, July 21, 2023. The approval included iOS and Android apps, a reader kit, and a sensor kit. Yet, it was not until July 2025 that Libre 3 Plus was available from Canadian pharmacies.
Will Libre 3 have different coverage requirements than Libre 2?
Approval having just been announced, it remains to be seen when the Freestyle Libre 3 will be available for sale and what the requirements of Private Insurance companies and Provincial health plans. Looking at experience south of the border in the United States, Libre 3 is expected to be priced close to that of of Libre 1 and Libre 2 versions.
That being said, as Libre 3 is now a fully continuous glucose monitor, insurance companies may not consider the eligibility of the Libre 3 similar to other devices like the Dexcom G7 ad G6 which typically require either the use of an insulin pump or a “Type 1” diagnosis and not the typical more generic definition of diabetes control using insulin. It could be an interesting few months.
When will Libre 3 be available in Pharmacies and from Abbott Canada?
Libre 3 Plus is now available from Canadian Pharmacies as of July 2025. However, it took about two years to be available after being approved by Health Canada.
How do I get Libre 3 Plus
In an email sent by Abbott on June 30th, 2025 – they advised to speak to your doctor or pharmacist to get an updated prescription. Yet, it is still unclear if there will be restrictions on Libre 3 and limit prescriptions only to Type 1 diabetics.
Where can I find information about Health Canada’s approval of Freestyle Libre 3?
The Health Canada Medical Device License information for Libre 3 is as follows:
| FREESTYLE LIBRE 3 APP (ANDROID) Licence No.: 109791 |
| FREESTYLE LIBRE 3 APP (IOS) Licence No.: 109791 |
| FREESTYLE LIBRE 3 READER KIT Licence No.: 109791 |
| FREESTYLE LIBRE 3 SENSOR KIT Licence No.: 109791 |
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Will Libre 2 still be available or will it be phased out as Libre 1 was. I’m happy with my Libre 2 and don’t want to change to something more expensive.
I am somewhat confused, and would appreciate your help & guidance, since I am about to purchase a Libre for the first time. I would be greatly obliged to receive your answers to the following queries:
i) I have no insurance. What would a Libre 3 cost ?
ii) In Libre 2 or Libre 3, do I have a buy a reader also? Or can I receive all info on my Android smartphone (and hence no need for a separate/additional reader) ?
iii) Should I be getting a Libre 2 or Libre 3 ? Is there any material difference? I basically just need continuous glucose readings, and alarms if & when needed.
iv) Is a Libre 3 reader (assuming such a thing exists) even available in Canada ? I am unclear if the Libre 3 system even needs a reader – for all I know, it may possibly work directly to one’s smartphone !
v) Can you let me have any idea of costs of the reader (if a reader is needed), and, separately, costs of the required sensors for Libre 2 and Libre 3 ?
Thank you.
Hi Zee,
All great questions! My reply is based on my experience in Canada.
COST: Abbott has typically tried to price all their versions of the sensors at approximately the same price. Depending on the pharmacy they range about $120 to $130 for one sensor. The sensors last two weeks.
READER: I highly recommend using your smart phone over buying a separate reader. Any modern smart phone should work – the rule of thumb, if you can use features like Apple or Android pay you should be good to go as it requires NFC / tap technology. You phone will also communicate with the sensor to get continuous glucose readings and advise of high and low warnings. However, readers for both are available but do provide more basic functionality (with Libre 2, you do not get the continuous monitoring). Libre 3 reader is about $75.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIBRE 2 AND LIBRE 3: Basic difference is size. Libre 2 is about the size of two quarters stacked on top of each other. Libre 3 is about the size of two pennies.
Hope this helps!
Abbott shouldn’t have announced Libre 3 until it was ready to go out the door. They won’t give you an answer as to why it’s been delayed so long. Just like the Eglinton LRT, not on time and the wait continues.
LOL on the LRT. Multi billion dollar projects do take time and safety is equally as important – however, another story there. As for Libre 3 – In many ways, besides the size difference, the upgrades to Libre 2 has accomplished everything I need from my sensor. The fact that we no longer need to scan our sensors was a game changer. I am actually concerned that if insurance companies consider Libre 3 in the same category as Dexcom, it will exclude every insulin dependant Type 2 users.
Libre 3 has been available in the USA. However, I don’t recall Abbott making a formal announcement that Libre 3 was coming, just that users like me saw that they had filed the application to be able to sell it as a medical device – which i suspect did open the door for the upgrades we saw with Libre 2. However, just a guess’s. I think they have found their market for Libre here in Canada with Libre 2.
What features of Libre 3 were you looking forward to?
The size is the biggest attraction for me. I find the 2 sticks out too far causing it to snag on things fairly often. Would love to reduce the amount of times it rips off in daily activities. I have tried all the suggested workarounds and that doesnt solve it completely.
Was this a mirage? We are over a year later and the Libre 3 is still not available at any Canadian pharmacies that I am aware of. Will this ever actually show up in Canada?
I agree – it has not been made available within any timelines that we had hoped. However, with the Libre 2 software update late last fall to remove the need to scan our sensors may have something to do with it. As a long time Libre user, the update to L2 gives me almost everything I need.
I only wish Abbott has better integration with 3rd party devices like Smart Watches. I would love to have my Libre data on my Garmin devices.