A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a growing trend of prescriptions for GLP-1 drugs among individuals without diabetes, alongside a decline in new prescriptions for those with diabetes. Researchers caution that this shift could lead to potential shortages of these treatments.
GLP-1 medications, which mimic a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and curb appetite, were originally developed for type 2 diabetes. However, in 2021, the FDA approved the GLP-1 drug Wegovy for weight loss purposes.
As demand for GLP-1 drugs rises, pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are struggling to produce adequate supplies of these medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
The researchers analyzed medical records of 45 million Americans who visited doctors from 2011 to 2023 and found that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to over 70%. Meanwhile, the share of new users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25% during the same period.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, noted, “This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, representing a significant public health shift. However, it also raises concerns about potential medication shortages and the need to ensure that patients with diabetes still have access to these treatments.”
The study utilized data from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, which may not fully reflect national trends.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained immense popularity due to their effectiveness in promoting weight loss, with users reportedly losing up to 26% of their body weight.
The surge in sales of these drugs has elevated Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to the ranks of the world’s most valuable pharmaceutical companies. However, the increased demand has also posed challenges for some patients in accessing their prescribed medications. Both companies have invested heavily to expand their production capacities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an expected 31.5 million Americans, or about 9% of the population, adopting these medications by 2035.