Use of more expensive insulin despite guidelines in Brazil.

AIM: To verify if the guidelines are being followed for the treatment of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) who receive insulin by lawsuits. METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted with secondary data of these patients in a Brazilian city. RESULTS: 53.9% acquired insulin by lawsuits without previously registered use of another insulin in the Public Health System (SUS). CONCLUSION: The guidelines are not being followed for most patients analyzed, which may result in unnecessary expenses for the SUS. Therefore, this data can support the awareness of prescribers in relation to the savings generated for municipalities through the follow-up of the guidelines.