Drug prescription patterns and cost evaluation in diabetespatients: A cross sectional study in Northern Iraq

Diabetes presents a significant burden in Northern Iraq, contributing to a high volume of prescriptions in both public and private healthcare facilities. Although medication regulations in the region are less stringent compared to developed countries, generic medications offer substantial cost savings. This study aims to describe medication utilization patterns, treatment outcomes, and prescription costs among diabetic patients in Northern Iraq. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 400 adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who had been on stable oral anti-diabetic therapy for at least six months. Patient demographics, clinical data, prescribed medications, costs, and adherence were collected through interviews. Diabetes control and self-care activities were assessed, and the Medication Effect Score (MES) was calculated. Adherence was evaluated using the Kurdish version of the Medication Adherence Reporting Scale (MARS). Females comprised 65% of participants, with a median age of 57, and 68% were obese. Hypertension (34.3%) and hyperlipidemia (20.8%) were common comorbidities. Only 13.8% of patients engaged in regular exercise, and 36.5% scored below 25 on the MARS scale. The median MES was 1.68, and 69.8% of patients had uncontrolled HbA1c levels. Logistic regression identified medication type, cost, and obesity as predictors of glycemic control. Of the 1538 prescribed medications, 48.89% were for diabetes, with 69.1% being generics. Polypharmacy was present in 31.8% of cases. Generic medications were associated with lower costs and better adherence, without significant differences in glycemic control compared to branded drugs. These findings highlight the cost-effectiveness and comparable efficacy of generics, emphasizing their role in improving patient adherence and optimizing healthcare resources.