A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a growing number of people without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 drugs, while new prescriptions for diabetic patients are declining. This trend raises concerns about possible shortages of these essential treatments, as highlighted by the study’s authors.
GLP-1 drugs, which mimic a hormone that regulates blood sugar and suppresses appetite, were originally designed to treat type 2 diabetes. However, in 2021, the FDA approved Wegovy, a GLP-1 treatment, specifically for weight loss purposes.
Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are facing challenges in meeting the increasing demand for GLP-1 drugs, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other organizations examined medical records of 45 million Americans who visited a doctor between 2011 and 2023. They noted that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023, while the share of new users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, commented that this data indicates a significant public health shift, as more healthcare providers recognize the benefits of these medications for treating obesity. However, there are growing concerns about ensuring that diabetes patients can still access these essential treatments.
The study utilized data from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, although it may not represent the entire national population.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, helping users lose up to 26% of their body weight. The escalating sales of these medications have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become two of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. However, the soaring demand has led to difficulties for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. To address this, both companies have invested significant resources to enhance production.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for these drugs could soar to $105 billion by 2030, with an estimated 31.5 million people in the U.S.—approximately 9% of the population—using them by 2035.