A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates a growing trend in the prescription of GLP-1 drugs to individuals without diabetes, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining. Researchers warn that this shift could lead to potential shortages of these medications, which are essential for diabetes management.
GLP-1 drugs, initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes, function by imitating a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels and suppress appetite. The FDA also authorized the use of Wegovy, a GLP-1 treatment, for weight loss in 2021.
Pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are currently facing challenges in meeting the rising demand for these medications, which include popular drugs such as Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
The study, conducted by researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions, analyzed medical records from 45 million Americans who had at least one doctor’s visit between 2011 and 2023. The findings revealed that the percentage of new GLP-1 users who have type 2 diabetes fell from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023. In contrast, the proportion of new GLP-1 users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Co-first author Yee Hui Yeo commented on the implications of the data, noting that healthcare providers are increasingly recognizing the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, signaling a significant public health change. However, this also raises concerns about ensuring continued access to these treatments for diabetes patients.
The study utilized data from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, which may not fully represent national trends. The surge in popularity of GLP-1 drugs, attributed to their appetite-suppressing effects, has resulted in users losing up to 26% of their body weight.
The explosive sales of these drugs have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become two of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. Nevertheless, the high demand has led to difficulties for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. Both companies have made substantial investments to increase their production capacity.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs will reach $105 billion by 2030, with an estimated 31.5 million people in the U.S. expected to adopt these treatments by 2035, representing about 9% of the population.