A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that the number of non-diabetic patients being prescribed GLP-1 medications is on the rise, while new prescriptions for diabetic patients are declining. This trend raises alarms about potential shortages of these essential treatments.
GLP-1 drugs, initially approved for type 2 diabetes treatment, function by imitating a hormone that manages blood sugar levels and curbs appetite. In 2021, the FDA expanded the approval of the GLP-1 medication Wegovy for weight loss purposes.
Due to increasing demand, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are facing challenges in producing sufficient quantities of GLP-1 drugs, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited a healthcare provider between 2011 and 2023. Their findings indicated a decline in the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes from nearly 90% to over 70% between 2019 and 2023. Conversely, the proportion of new GLP-1 users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, commented, “This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, marking a significant shift in public health. However, it also raises concerns about potential medication shortages and ensuring access for diabetes patients.”
The study utilized data from healthcare software company TriNetX, which might not be representative of the entire nation.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, with users reportedly losing up to 26% of their body weight.
The soaring demand for these medications has propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become two of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. Nevertheless, this high demand has made it difficult for some patients to fill their prescriptions. Both companies have invested billions to increase their production capacities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs will reach $105 billion by 2030, with an expected 31.5 million people in the U.S. adopting these treatments by 2035, representing about 9% of the population.