Kaiser reports that the cost of diabetes medications in the United States grew to $12.5 billion in 2007 from $6.7 billion in 2001 — an increase of 87 percent. According to a new study:

…the average cost of diabetes medications increased to $76 in 2007 from $56 in 2001. In addition, the study found that more patients received multiple prescriptions for diabetes medications … According to the study, 82% of patients in 1994 received only one diabetes medication, compared with 47% of patients in 2007…

Caleb Alexander, a co-author of the study, said it is unclear whether the increases in treatment and associated costs are actually yielding additional health benefits.

On a more positive note, Kaiser also reports that metformin, a generic diabetes medication that has been around for many years, might reduce heart disease risk. More about this here.