A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that the percentage of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications is increasing, coinciding with a decline in new prescriptions for those with diabetes. Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed medical records of 45 million Americans between 2011 and 2023, noting a drop in new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023. In contrast, the share of new users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25% during the same period.
The growing interest among healthcare providers in using these medications to treat obesity highlights a significant public health shift, according to Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study. However, this trend raises concerns about potential shortages and the need to ensure continued access for diabetes patients.
Initially approved for type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 drugs, which mimic a hormone that manages blood sugar and curbs appetite, gained additional approval in 2021 when Wegovy was authorized for weight loss. Since then, pharmaceutical companies like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in meeting the escalating demand for these medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
The popularity of GLP-1 drugs has surged due to their ability to aid significant weight loss, with some users shedding up to 26% of their body weight. This surge in sales has positioned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk among the most valuable pharmaceutical firms globally, but the heightened demand has complicated prescription fulfillment for some patients. Both companies have committed substantial investments to increase their production capabilities.
Analysts from Morgan Stanley project that the global market for GLP-1 medications will reach $105 billion by 2030, with usage in the U.S. expected to rise to approximately 31.5 million people—about 9% of the population—by 2035.