A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates an increasing trend in the prescription of GLP-1 drugs among individuals without diabetes, while prescriptions for diabetics are declining. This shift raises concerns about possible shortages of these essential treatments.
GLP-1 medications mimic a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels and suppress appetite. Initially approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, the FDA expanded the use of GLP-1 medications like Wegovy for weight loss in 2021.
Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, major producers of GLP-1 drugs including Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, are currently struggling to meet the soaring demand for these treatments.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited healthcare providers between 2011 and 2023. They discovered that the percentage of new GLP-1 users diagnosed with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023. Conversely, the number of new users without type 2 diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
“This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, indicating a significant public health shift,” stated Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study. However, Yeo also emphasized concerns regarding potential medication shortages and the necessity of ensuring diabetic patients retain access to these treatments.
The study utilized data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not be fully representative of the national landscape.
Over recent years, the appetite-suppressing properties of GLP-1 drugs have garnered widespread popularity, with studies indicating that users can lose up to 26% of their body weight.
The boom in GLP-1 drug sales has positioned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk as leading pharmaceutical companies globally. However, this rising demand has rendered it challenging for some patients to secure their prescriptions, prompting both companies to invest billions in boosting their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for these medications will reach $105 billion by 2030, with expectations that around 31.5 million people in the U.S.—approximately 9% of the population—will adopt these drugs by 2035.