A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a growing trend of prescriptions for GLP-1 drugs among people without diabetes, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining. The authors of the study express concern over potential shortages of these treatments due to the shift in prescribing patterns.
GLP-1 drugs are designed to replicate a hormone that helps control blood sugar levels and reduce appetite. Initially approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, the FDA expanded their use in 2021 to include weight loss with the approval of Wegovy.
Demand for GLP-1 drugs, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, has surged, putting pressure on manufacturers Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly to meet the increasing needs of both diabetic and non-diabetic patients.
The research team from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions reviewed medical records from 45 million Americans who visited a doctor from 2011 to 2023. They found that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to over 70% between 2019 and 2023. Conversely, the share of new users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, indicated that these findings suggest an acknowledgment of the health benefits of GLP-1 medications for obesity treatment, marking a significant change in public health perspectives. However, this trend raises alarms about the accessibility of these drugs for diabetic patients.
The analysis utilized data from healthcare software provider TriNetX, which may not reflect national prescribing trends.
In recent years, GLP-1 medications have gained popularity due to their ability to suppress appetite and assist users in reducing up to 26% of their body weight.
The soaring sales of GLP-1 drugs have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become two of the world’s most valuable pharmaceutical firms, although high demand has led to challenges for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. Both companies are investing significantly to increase their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an expected adoption rate of approximately 31.5 million users in the U.S. by 2035, representing about 9% of the population.