A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates that the percentage of individuals without diabetes receiving prescriptions for GLP-1 drugs is on the rise, while new prescriptions for diabetic patients are declining. This trend raises concerns about potential shortages of these essential treatments.
GLP-1 medications, which mimic a hormone that regulates blood sugar and curbs appetite, were originally approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In 2021, the FDA expanded their use to include weight loss, specifically approving Wegovy for this purpose.
Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are currently facing challenges in meeting the increasing demand for GLP-1 drugs, including Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions reviewed the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited a healthcare provider between 2011 and 2023. Their findings revealed that the proportion of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes had decreased from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% by 2023. Conversely, the percentage of new users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, stated that this data indicates a growing recognition among healthcare providers regarding the effectiveness of these medications for obesity treatment. However, he warned of possible medication shortages and emphasized the need to ensure ongoing access for diabetic patients.
The study utilized data from healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not fully represent national trends.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity for their appetite-suppressing effects, with studies showing users can lose up to 26% of their body weight.
The soaring sales of these medications have elevated Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become some of the world’s most valuable pharmaceutical companies. Nevertheless, the high demand has made it difficult for certain patients to obtain their prescriptions. Both companies are investing heavily in increasing their production capacity.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an estimated 31.5 million users in the U.S., or about 9% of the population, by 2035.