A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates a growing trend in the prescription of GLP-1 drugs among people without diabetes, even as new prescriptions for diabetes patients are declining. The authors of the study have expressed concerns about potential shortages of these treatments.
GLP-1 medications, which mimic a hormone that controls blood sugar levels and curbs appetite, were originally approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, since the FDA approved Wegovy for weight loss in 2021, demand for these drugs has surged.
Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, two key players in the GLP-1 market, are struggling to keep up with the rising demand for their products, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined the medical records of 45 million Americans with at least one doctor visit between 2011 and 2023. They discovered that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes decreased 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, noted that this shift highlights a growing recognition among healthcare providers regarding the benefits of these medications for treating obesity. However, this trend also raises alarms about ensuring continued access for diabetes patients.
The data was sourced from the healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not represent the entire nation.
In recent years, the appetite-suppressing effects of GLP-1 drugs have made them highly sought after, leading to weight reductions of up to 26%. This surge in sales has propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become prominent players in the pharmaceutical industry, though fulfilling prescriptions has become challenging due to the overwhelming demand. Both companies are investing heavily to increase production of these drugs.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for GLP-1 medications could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an estimated 31.5 million people in the U.S. using these drugs by 2035, representing about 9% of the population.