A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that the number of individuals without diabetes receiving prescriptions for GLP-1 drugs is on the rise, while prescriptions for diabetes patients are declining. This trend raises concerns about potential shortages of these medications.
GLP-1 drugs are designed to imitate a hormone that manages blood sugar levels and curbs appetite. Initially approved for type 2 diabetes treatment, the FDA authorized Wegovy for weight loss in 2021. Since then, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in meeting the growing demand for these drugs, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed medical records from 45 million Americans who visited doctors from 2011 to 2023. They found that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023. Concurrently, the percentage of new users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, a co-first author of the study, noted that this data indicates a significant shift in how healthcare providers view the benefits of these drugs for obesity treatment. However, it also raises alarms about potential shortages and the need to ensure that diabetes patients continue to have access to these essential medications.
The study utilized data from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, although this dataset may not fully represent the national landscape. In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite suppression effects, helping users lose up to 26% of their body weight.
The soaring sales of these medications have positioned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk as two of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. Yet, the high demand has led to difficulties for some patients in getting their prescriptions filled. Both companies are investing billions to enhance production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for these drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030. They also expect that approximately 31.5 million people in the U.S., about 9% of the population, will be using these drugs by 2035.