OBJECTIVES: To estimate the budget impact of saxagliptin introduction as a treatment option for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), compared to the present situation. METHODS: An MS Excel-based budget impact model assuming coverage for one million people. The time horizon was three years and the analysis perspective was a social security organization in Argentina. Pharmaceutical expenses of antidiabetic agents were analyzed excluding other medical costs. The cost of antidiabetic agents was based upon the consumer price index adjusted to copayments and discounts (2009); the saxagliptin price was considered to be equal to the sitagliptin price. The market share of the different drugs was based upon market studies and data provided by Bristol Myers Squibb. The budget impact is reported in terms of annual treatment costs and monthly costs per member per month (PMPM). Finally, a one-way sensitivity analysis was carried out. RESULTS: The net budget impact estimated for the introduction of saxagliptin was US$2.077 for the first year, US$4.377 for the second year and US$9.230 for the third year; the accumulated net budget impact was US$15.648. The PMPM result was US$0.0002, U$$0.0004 and US$0.0008 for each year respectively. The accumulated impact in the total annual budget for antidiabetics was 0.07%. DM2 prevalence changes ± 50% derived an accumulated net budget impact of US$23.526 to US$7.842; a slight saxagliptin price decrease (-2%) generates a negative budget impact of US$538, US$1.133 and US$2.390 for each year respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The budget impact of adding saxagliptin in a population of one million affiliates of the Argentinean social security is minimal in patients with DM2.