Abstract
Background Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disorder marked by hyperglycemia. Studying the use of antidiabetic
medications is essential for promoting proper drug use and improving healthcare planning.
Objective This study aims to examine the drug utilization patterns and prescribing practices among Type 2 Diabetic
Patients in Palestine. Specifically, it seeks to identify the most commonly prescribed medications, evaluate adherence
to clinical guidelines, and assess factors influencing drug utilization at diabetes healthcare centers operated by the
Ministry of Health (MOH) in Palestine.
Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 400 randomly selected patients with T2DM attending
diabetic clinics in the northern and central regions of the West Bank, Palestine. Data on prescribing patterns and
medication adherence were collected through patient interviews, and ethical guidelines were strictly followed
throughout the study.
Results The study found that metformin was the most frequently prescribed initial therapy for patients with T2DM.
Medication adherence was notably high, with 68% of patients consistently taking their medications as directed,
although 24% reported occasionally forgetting to do so. Approximately 90% of patients followed the prescribed
dosage exactly as instructed. There were no statistically significant differences in metformin prescribing patterns
across the regions; prescriptions for glimepiride varied significantly (p = 0.01). Combination therapies were also
commonly used.
Conclusion This research can enhance our understanding of diabetes treatment methods, patient adherence,
and the factors influencing prescription decisions. Ultimately, this will support the development of more effective
strategies for diabetes management.
Keywords Drug utilization review, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Oral hypoglycemic agents, Hyperglycemia

Title

BMC Health Services Research

Publisher

Springer

Publisher Country

Netherlands

Indexing

Thomson Reuters

Impact Factor

2.8

Publication Type

Both (Printed and Online)

Volume

25

Year

2025

Pages

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