A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a growing trend of people without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications, while new prescriptions for diabetics are declining. The authors of the study have expressed concerns that this trend could lead to shortages of these important treatments.
GLP-1 drugs are designed to mimic a hormone that controls blood sugar levels and reduces appetite. Initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes, the FDA expanded the approval in 2021 to include Wegovy for weight loss. Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are currently facing challenges in keeping up with the increasing demand for these medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined the medical records of 45 million Americans from 2011 to 2023. They discovered that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023, whereas the share of new GLP-1 users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
“This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, indicating a significant public health shift,” stated Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study. “However, it also raises concerns about potential medication shortages and the need to ensure that patients with diabetes still have access to these treatments.”
The study utilized data from healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not reflect nationwide trends. In recent years, GLP-1 medications have become increasingly popular due to their appetite-suppressing effects, with users able to lose up to 26% of their body weight.
The soaring sales of these drugs have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become some of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. However, the heightened demand has resulted in challenges for some patients to fill their prescriptions. Both companies are investing billions to increase production capacity.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030 and estimate that by 2035 about 31.5 million people in the U.S., or approximately 9% of the population, will be using these medications.