A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a rising trend in the prescription of GLP-1 drugs among individuals without diabetes, while the number of prescriptions for those with diabetes is declining. The authors of the study express concern over potential shortages of these medications.
GLP-1 drugs are designed to mimic a hormone that manages blood sugar levels and suppresses appetite. Initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes, their use expanded when the FDA approved Wegovy for weight loss in 2021.
Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are facing challenges in meeting the surging demand for these drugs, which include popular medications such as Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed the health records of 45 million Americans who visited a doctor between 2011 and 2023. Their findings indicate that the group of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% to over 70% between 2019 and 2023. Conversely, the percentage of new users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, noted that the data suggests healthcare providers are increasingly recognizing the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, marking a significant public health shift. However, this trend raises concerns about ensuring that diabetes patients still have access to necessary treatments.
The data used in the study came from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, although it may not accurately represent the national population.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained immense popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, enabling users to lose as much as 26% of their body weight.
The surge in sales of these medications has propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become leading pharmaceutical companies globally. However, this high demand has resulted in difficulties for some patients in filling their prescriptions. Both companies have invested heavily to increase production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030. They also project that by 2035, around 31.5 million individuals in the U.S.—approximately 9% of the population—will be using these medications.