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Objective: Considering that adherence level affects diabetes treatment success and maintenance of glycemic control greatly, the aim of this study was to examine diabetes patients’ adherence to oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) and knowledge about their mechanism of action, dosing regimen, and side effects. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 100 patients with type 2 diabetes in order to assess their knowledge of OHAs using anonymous questionnaires. Results: Most patients had used OHAs between 2 and 5 years (61.0%), where 78.0% were treated with metformin, and the remaining 22.0% were prescribed sulfonylurea derivatives. Besides drugs used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, 58.0% of patients took another 1-3 drugs daily for the treatment of other conditions. Although 75.0% achieved a score of 5-6 out of the maximum score of 8, only 2.0% of respondents listed at least 2 side effects of the OHA they used, and none of them could explain its mechanism of action. Most of the information about OHAs was given to patients by endocrinologists (53.0%). Conclusion: More than half of participants considered their knowledge of OHAs insufficient. Results clearly indicate that the respondents were not sufficiently familiar with the mechanism of action and possible side effects of such medications. Information about OHAs given in written form as well as via community pharmacists would contribute to educating type 2 diabetes patients significantly.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the contents of home pharmacies and medication use, as well as storage and disposal habits in urban and rural households in Serbia. Material and Methods: This prospective research was conducted within 70 households in Novi Sad (urban setting) and Laćarak (rural setting) from October 1, 2015 to January 15, 2016. The data were collected using a standardized questionnaire, as well as by direct examination of drugs stored in households. Results: The most common groups of drugs stored were cardiovascular drugs, drugs for the nervous system, antirheumatic products and antimicrobials. A high percentage of drugs for the alimentary tract were found stored in Laćarak, while drugs for the respiratory tract were discovered in Novi Sad. Prescription only medications (POMs) made up 69.7% of all medications in Laćarak and 60.6% in Novi Sad. POMs were purchased independently in high amounts (13.2% in Laćarak and 9.1% in Novi Sad). Presence of expired medications was higher in Laćarak (12.0%) than Novi Sad (5.8%). Over two-thirds of the households stored medications properly; however, only 10.0% of respondents reported the proper disposal of unused medications. Conclusion: The structures of home pharmacies in Novi Sad and Laćarak differ, which implies different healthcare needs. The practice of self-medicating was noted both in Novi Sad and Laćarak. While Laćarak residents rely more on the advice of friends and family, Novi Sad residents buy medicine mostly without any consultation. Medications in both environments are stored properly in the majority of households, but mostly disposed of improperly together with household waste.