OBJECTIVES: Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome characterized by chronic hyperglycemia with absolute or relative deficiencies of insulin and/or in its action. The National Health System (SUS), through the pharmaceutical assistance must ensure medications and supplies needed for the monitoring of capillary blood glucose of diabetic patients, defined by ministerial decree. The aim of this study is to evaluate the financial impact of inputs for monitoring capillary blood glucose in relation to medicinal products for treatment of diabetes mellitus in the state of Minas Gerais in 2011. METHODS: Survey distribution and financial cost through the computerized management of pharmaceutical assistance (SIGAF) in thez State of Minas Gerais in 2011 of oral antidiabetics (glibenclamide 5 mg and metformin hydrochloride 850mg), human insulin NPH and regular human insulin and indicator strip that measures the glucose. RESULTS: The costs for regular and NPH Insulin in 2011 were U$8.320.793,31, with oral antidiabetic agents was U$2.032.284,77, as with reagent strips for monitoring blood glucose level was U$6.978.321,99.The total spending on drugs for the treatment of diabetes mellitus was U$10.353.078,08. It is observed that the cost of test strips correspond to approximately 67.5% of this value. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that the costs of inputs for monitoring of blood glucose have a significant financial impact on the State diabetes program. Moreover, they suggest the need for research regarding the reasonableness of the use of these inputs by patients. Education strategies, such as the pharmaceutical guidance for patients who perform self-monitoring blood glucose levels, aid in the proper use of these inputs and can avoid any waste.