Abstract Background The adherence to diabetic drugs is a key issue to maintain the glucose levels in optimal limits and prevention of complications. The health care system cannot provide individual care to each patient due to paucity in resources. The problem with poor self management of diabetes despite improved technology is escalating the problem of diabetes related problems. This study was mainly taken up to study the rates and factors influencing the non adherence in a chronic disease such as diabetes mellitus. Materials and methods A cross sectional study was undertaken for a period of three months in outpatient department of Basaveshwara Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Chitardurga. The patients were chosen randomly, and a predesigned and structured questionnaire was administered for the participants. The data thus obtained compiled and analysed using appropriate statistics.