Diabetes is one of the most dangerous civilization diseases. Due to the continuous increase in global incidence of diabetes the WHO named it as the first non‑infectious epidemic disease. At present it is estimated that more than 380 million of people are affected by diabetes, and many of them are not even aware of the consequences of the disease. Diabetes causes not only specific disturbances, but as a metabolic disease, is associated with dysfunction and damage of various organs. In the most severe form, as well as untreated or ineffectively treated, can lead to death. In many cases of early stages of diabetes type II an important role in glycaemia control plays a non‑pharmacological therapy. Proper diet and exercise allow to control the early stages of the disease without the application of oral antidiabetic drugs and insulin therapy. According to the IDF, expenses related to the treatment of diabetes in the World in 2012 constituted 11% of the total financing of health care in amount of USD 471 billion. It is predicted that by 2030, prevention and treatment of diabetes and its complications will reach the amount USD 600 billion. To this quote it should be added indirect costs i.e. expanses associated with sick leave and productivity loss. Appropriate prevention, promotion of healthy lifestyle and the early screening can effectively prevent disease, and can minimize or even completely exclude the expenses related to treatment of the diabetes and its complications. It would significantly decrease expenditure of the national health system.

Key words: diabetes, complications, pharmacoeconomics.