Cost-effectiveness of oral hypoglycaemic agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Diabetes is a public health problem worldwide. Its treatment includes controlling hyperglycaemia, initially through changes in lifestyle such as diet, exercise and weight loss. UK Prospective Diabetes Study results showed that intensive treatment to achieve glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes reduces the risk of diabetes-related complications. Typically, patients initially receive monotherapy with oral hypoglycaemic agents but usually progress to combination therapy or insulin. In the short term, the cost of achieving glycaemic control can be substantial, particularly when combination therapy is required. However, additional treatment costs of achieving recommended glycaemic control levels are predicted to be at least partially offset in the long term by the reduction of diabetes-related complications and their related management costs.