The present study was conducted to analyze the rational prescribing of drugs in the medicine ward of a tertiary care hospital using WHO core indicators. Females were more prone to diabetes mellitus.

Metformin , insulin and sulphonylureas was the most commonly used drug. The prescribing trend also appears to be moving towards combination therapy particularly two drugs therapy. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on drug utilization research. However, the study has its own limitations since follow-up of the patients was not possible and hence the effectiveness of the anti-diabetic agents could not be assessed. In the future one can investigate the appropriateness of prescriptions and adherence to evidence based recommendations.