Abstract: OBJECTIVE To develop an HPLC method for the identification of 12 anti-diabetic drugs added illegally into traditional Chinese medicines and health care products. METHODS The liquid chromatography method was used. HPLC separations were performed on the Agilent Extend C₁₈ column with the mobile phase of 0.014% trifluactic acid, 0.01 mol·L^-1 sodium heptanesulfonate solution and acetonitrile by gradient elution at the flow rate of 1.0 mL·min^-1, the detection wavelength was 220 nm. RESULTS Twelve kinds of anti-diabetic agents were well separated and clearly identified by HPLC. Seven kinds of 12 batches of illegally added chemicals had been successfully detected among 28 kinds of 39 batches of samples on the market. CONCLUSION This method is simple, rapid, and provided a reliable way for detecting 12 anti-diabetic agents in traditional Chinese medicines and health care products.