A method for obtaining antidiabetic of formula (I), wherein the method comprises condensing of a 4-derivatized phenol or phenolate of general formula (II), wherein R is an amino group-containing organic residue, selected from the group comprising a residue of the following formula -NHR3, wherein R3 is hydrogen or a protecting group, which is removed before further treatment, and a residue of general formula (A), wherein Rb represents a carboxy group either in the free acid form or in the form of a salt or ester or another functional derivative or the nitrile group CN, and M represents a hydrogen or alkali metal atom, with a pyridine base of general formula (III), wherein Z is a leaving group other than a halogen, wherein, before or after carrying out the condensation, the following operations are carried out: (a) diazotizing the amino group present in organic residue R; (b) converting the diazotised residue R into a derivative of 2-halopropionate or 2-halopropionitrile of formula (B), wherein Rb is as defined above and X is a halogen; (c) cyclizing the derivative of 2-halopropionate or 2-halopropionitrile with thiourea; (d) hydrolysing the resulting imine thus giving pioglitazone of formula (I).