A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a growing trend of GLP-1 drug prescriptions among individuals without diabetes, coinciding with a decline in new prescriptions for those with diabetes. Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited a physician from 2011 to 2023. They found that the proportion of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023. In contrast, the share of new users without type 2 diabetes jumped from 10% to 25%.
The study’s authors expressed concerns about potential shortages of these medications, which help regulate blood sugar and curb appetite. Initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes, the FDA expanded the approval of GLP-1 treatments like Wegovy for weight loss in 2021. Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are currently struggling to meet the soaring demand for GLP-1 drugs, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Yee Hui Yeo, a co-first author of the study, noted the significant public health shift as more healthcare providers recognize the benefits of these medications for obesity. Nevertheless, the situation raises critical concerns about access to treatments for diabetes patients.
The surging popularity of GLP-1 drugs, which have shown promise in helping users lose up to 26% of their body weight, has propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become some of the world’s most valuable pharmaceutical companies. However, the high demand has made it difficult for many patients to fill their prescriptions. In response, both companies have invested heavily to increase production.
According to Morgan Stanley analysts, the global market for these drugs is projected to reach $105 billion by 2030, with an estimated 31.5 million individuals in the U.S. expected to adopt them by 2035, equating to about 9% of the population.