The use of GLP-1 drugs among individuals without diabetes is increasing, while new prescriptions for diabetic patients are declining, as revealed in a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed medical records from 45 million American patients who visited doctors between 2011 and 2023. They discovered that the proportion of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% to over 70% between 2019 and 2023. Conversely, the percentage of new users without type 2 diabetes grew from 10% to 25%.
GLP-1 medications, originally approved for treating type 2 diabetes, work by mimicking a hormone that regulates blood sugar and suppresses appetite. The FDA expanded their use in 2021, approving Wegovy for weight loss. With their appetite-suppressing effects, these drugs have gained popularity, helping users lose up to 26% of their body weight. However, this surge in demand has led to concerns about potential shortages, especially for diabetic patients who still require access to these treatments.
Both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, leading producers of GLP-1 drugs such as Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, are struggling to keep pace with the skyrocketing demand. The high sales volumes have greatly increased their market value, but they have also made it challenging for many patients to fill their prescriptions. To address the growing need, both companies have invested billions to enhance their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs will reach $105 billion by 2030, forecasting that about 31.5 million individuals in the U.S., or approximately 9% of the population, will adopt these treatments by 2035.