Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most common chronic diseases, leading to increased healthcare costs. In recent years, there has been a shift in prescribing preferences from traditional drugs to innovative medications. This study aims to analyze trends in prescribing and expenditures on oral hypoglycemic drugs (OHD) in two major outpatient clinics Objective: To analyze the dynamics of prescribing and expenditures on oral hypoglycemic drugs (OHD) within primary healthcare in Aktobe, Kazakhstan, over the period 2019–2023. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from the "Drug Provision" information system of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The study covered two outpatient clinics. ABC/VEN analysis was applied to assess the expenditure structure and identify key trends. Results: Metformin remains the leading first-line drug, although its share in expenditures has declined (to 13.97% in 2023), while the number of prescriptions has increased. Glimepiride, gliclazide have also decreased, yielding to modern drugs. The most significant growth was observed for empagliflozin (40.92% in 2023), dapagliflozin, and linagliptin. Differences in consumption dynamics were identified between the two clinics. Conclusions: The study highlights the need for regular monitoring of OHD use and rational resource allocation. The findings can be used to optimize treatment strategies in the context of a limited healthcare budget