The place of pioglitazone in type 2 diabetes mellitus has recently been confirmed by data released at the 17th Congress of the International Diabetes Federation [Mexico City, Mexico; November 2000]. The studies show that pioglitazone in combination with a sulfonylurea, metformin or insulin significantly improves glycaemic control, compared with standard antihyperglycaemic monotherapy. Furthermore, glycaemic control achieved with pioglitazone monotherapy is sustainable for up to 2.5 years. Thus, pioglitazone has the potential to become a useful addition to the armamentarium of agents used for the management of type 2 diabetes.