Although strict glucose control can prevent or delay the onset of complications in patients with diabetes, optimal control frequently is not achieved. A partial explanation for this phenomenon can be attributed to so-called clinical inertia of physicians, defined as "recognition of the problem but failure to act". Such therapeutic inertia may result from patient's reluctance, difficulties inherent to available treatments and physician's attitudes. Clinical inertia may be present at each successive step in the management of type 2 diabetes. This article describes some solutions to help physicians reducing therapeutic inertia and improving patient care.