Cost Effectiveness of Insulin Glargine plus Oral Antidiabetes Drugs Compared with Premixed Insulin Alone in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Canada

Background Several treatment options are available for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who are making the transition from oral antidiabetes drugs (OADs) to insulin. Two options currently recommended by the Canadian Diabetes Association for initiating insulin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes who are no longer responsive to OADs alone are insulin glargine plus OADs, and premixed insulin therapy only. Because of differences in efficacy, adverse events (such as hypoglycaemia) and acquisition costs, these two treatment options may lead to different long-term clinical and economic outcomes.