Newer antidiabetic agents: at what price will they be cost effective?

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes is associated with substantial financial burden to patients and health-care systems around the world. Much of this burden is attributable to chronic complications of untreated diabetes, particularly those involving the cardiovascular system, kidneys, eyes, and feet. The situation is particularly critical in low-income and middle-income countries, where access to health insurance is limited, public health-care systems are suboptimal, and patients have to pay out-of-pocket for treatment of both diabetes and its complications.