A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a rising trend of prescriptions for GLP-1 drugs among individuals without diabetes, coinciding with a decline in new prescriptions for diabetic patients. This shift raises concerns about potential shortages of these medications.
GLP-1 drugs, designed to imitate a hormone regulating blood sugar and reducing appetite, were initially approved for type 2 diabetes treatment. However, in 2021, Wegovy, a GLP-1 treatment, received FDA approval for weight loss, prompting increased interest in these medications.
Research from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed medical records from 45 million Americans who visited healthcare providers between 2011 and 2023. The findings showed that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023. Conversely, the proportion of new users without type 2 diabetes surged from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, highlighted that this trend indicates a growing recognition among healthcare providers of the benefits of GLP-1 medications for obesity treatment, although it raises concerns regarding access for diabetic patients.
The study utilized data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not reflect the national landscape accurately.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their significant appetite-suppressing effects, leading to weight loss of up to 26%. This surge in demand has propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become among the most valuable pharmaceutical firms globally, although it has also resulted in difficulties for some patients in accessing their prescribed medications. Both companies are investing heavily to boost production capacities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project the global market for GLP-1 drugs to reach $105 billion by 2030, estimating that about 31.5 million Americans, or roughly 9% of the population, will adopt these medications by 2035.