A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates a notable shift in the prescription patterns of GLP-1 medications, revealing that the percentage of individuals without diabetes receiving these treatments is increasing, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining. The authors of the study express concerns over potential shortages of these essential drugs.
GLP-1 medications are designed to mimic a hormone that assists in blood sugar regulation and appetite reduction. Initially authorized for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, the FDA expanded the approval of the GLP-1 medication Wegovy in 2021 for weight loss purposes.
Since then, pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in producing sufficient quantities of these drugs – which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic – to satisfy the growing demand.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited a healthcare provider between 2011 and 2023. The findings reveal a decrease in the proportion of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023. Conversely, the percentage of new users without type 2 diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
According to study co-author Yee Hui Yeo, this trend suggests that healthcare providers are recognizing the advantages of these medications for addressing obesity, signaling a significant shift in public health practices. However, it also raises alarms about possible medication shortages and the importance of ensuring continued access for diabetes patients.
The research utilized data from healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not fully represent the national landscape.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their effectiveness in suppressing appetite and facilitating weight loss of up to 26%. The surge in sales of these medications has positioned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk as some of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. Nevertheless, the overwhelming demand has created obstacles for certain patients in obtaining their prescriptions. Both companies have heavily invested to enhance their production capabilities.
Analysts from Morgan Stanley predict that the global market for these medications could reach $105 billion by 2030, estimating that approximately 31.5 million people in the U.S. — representing about 9% of the population — will adopt these treatments by 2035.