A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a growing trend in the prescription of GLP-1 drugs to individuals without diabetes, while prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining. Researchers warn that this shift may lead to potential shortages of these essential treatments.
GLP-1 medications mimic a hormone that controls blood sugar and curbs appetite. Initially approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, the FDA expanded the use of GLP-1 treatments such as Wegovy for weight loss in 2021.
Since then, companies like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in meeting the increasing demand for GLP-1 drugs, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
The study, conducted by researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions, analyzed the medical records of 45 million Americans who consulted a doctor between 2011 and 2023. The findings indicated that the proportion of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023. Conversely, the percentage of new users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, stated that this trend demonstrates a significant shift in how healthcare providers view these medications for obesity treatment. However, she also highlighted concerns over access to these treatments for diabetic patients.
The study used data from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, which may not reflect a national perspective. In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, with users achieving weight loss of up to 26%.
The soaring sales of these medications have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become two of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. Nevertheless, the overwhelming demand has made it challenging for some patients to obtain their prescriptions. Both firms have invested billions to increase production capacity.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for GLP-1 drugs will reach $105 billion by 2030, with around 31.5 million people in the U.S., approximately 9% of the population, expected to adopt these medications by 2035.