A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that the number of people without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 drugs is on the rise, while new prescriptions for individuals with diabetes are declining. The researchers express concern over the potential for shortages of these essential treatments.
GLP-1 medications, initially approved for type 2 diabetes, function by mimicking a hormone that regulates blood sugar and curbs appetite. Their use expanded in 2021 when the Food and Drug Administration approved Wegovy for weight loss. Since then, manufacturers Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have struggled to keep up with the soaring demand for these drugs, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed medical records of 45 million Americans who visited a doctor from 2011 to 2023. Their findings indicate that the proportion of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023. Conversely, the percentage of users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Co-first author Yee Hui Yeo stated, “This data suggests that more healthcare providers are seeing the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, which is 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 the healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not fully represent national trends. The appetite-suppressing effects of GLP-1 drugs have made them increasingly popular, with users reportedly losing up to 26% of their body weight.
The booming sales of these medications have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become two of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies worldwide. However, high demand has led to challenges in fulfilling some patients’ prescriptions. Both companies are investing heavily to expand their production capabilities.
Analysts at Morgan Stanley predict that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030. They also estimate that the adoption of these medications may rise to approximately 31.5 million people in the U.S., or about 9% of the population, by 2035.