The number of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications is on the rise, while new prescriptions for diabetic patients are declining, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Researchers caution that this trend might lead to shortages of these vital treatments. GLP-1 medications work by mimicking hormones that control blood sugar levels and suppress appetite. Initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes, the FDA granted approval for Wegovy, a GLP-1 treatment, for weight loss in 2021.
Since that time, pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in producing sufficient quantities of GLP-1 drugs like Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic to satisfy the growing demand.
A team from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions studied the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited a physician between 2011 and 2023. The findings revealed a decrease in the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023, while the share of new users without diabetes climbed from 10% to 25%.
“This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, which marks a significant public health trend,” stated Yee Hui Yeo, one of the study’s co-authors. “However, it also raises concerns regarding potential medication shortages and underscores the necessity to ensure that diabetes patients continue to have access to these therapies.”
The study utilized data from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, though the sample may not represent the entire nation.
GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite suppression capabilities, with some users losing as much as 26% of their body weight. The surge in sales of these medications has propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become two of the world’s most valuable pharmaceutical companies. Nevertheless, the heightened demand has made it challenging for some patients to obtain their prescriptions. Both companies are investing billions to increase their production capacities.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for GLP-1 drugs will hit $105 billion by 2030. The investment bank also estimates the number of individuals in the U.S. adopting these medications could reach approximately 31.5 million by 2035, representing about 9% of the population.