New antidiabetic medications. Clinical evidence, clinical practice and pharmacoeconomics

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive and complex disease with underlying defects in insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion and hepatic glucose production. There is a range of antidiabetic treatment options now available to address these defects. Determination of which therapy for which patient is not always apparent from the clinical literature or the product information.

To summarise the extent and use of clinical evidence, clinical practice and pharmacoeconomics in positioning antidiabetic agents in Australian clinical practice.

This paper summarises the introduction of new agents into the options for treatment of type 2 diabetes through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Combining evidence based medicine, accepted clinical practice and decision analysis, allows the controlled introduction of new therapies in a climate of limited resources and a population with increasing therapeutic needs.