A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that the proportion of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 drugs is increasing, while new prescriptions for diabetic patients are declining. This trend raises concerns about potential shortages of these medications.
GLP-1 drugs are designed to mimic a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels and decrease appetite. Initially approved for type 2 diabetes management, these drugs gained additional approval in 2021 when the FDA sanctioned Wegovy for weight loss.
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are currently facing difficulties in meeting the rising demand for GLP-1 drugs, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited healthcare providers between 2011 and 2023. They identified a decline in the share of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes, dropping from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023. Conversely, the share of new users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, a co-first author of the study, noted that this shift indicates a growing recognition among healthcare providers of the benefits of GLP-1 medications for treating obesity, which marks a significant change in public health practices. However, this change also underscores the urgent need to secure access to these medications for patients with diabetes.
The study utilized data from the healthcare software firm TriNetX, which may not reflect a national overview.
GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects and potential for significant weight loss, with users shedding as much as 26% of their body weight.
As sales of GLP-1 medications soar, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have become leading pharmaceutical companies globally. However, this high demand has led to challenges in fulfilling prescriptions for some patients. To address this, both companies have invested billions to enhance their production capabilities.
According to Morgan Stanley analysts, the global market for GLP-1 drugs is projected to reach $105 billion by 2030, with an anticipated adoption rate of around 31.5 million people in the U.S. by 2035, equating to approximately 9% of the population.