A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a growing trend of non-diabetic individuals being prescribed GLP-1 drugs while new prescriptions for diabetic patients are decreasing. This increase in prescriptions for people without diabetes raises concerns about potential shortages of these medications.
GLP-1 drugs, which mimic a hormone that regulates blood sugar and curbs appetite, were initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes. However, the FDA approved Wegovy, a type of GLP-1 treatment, for weight loss in 2021. As a result, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are struggling to keep up with the soaring demand for these medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined the medical records of 45 million Americans 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% during the period from 2019 to 2023. In contrast, the proportion of new users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, a co-first author of the study, commented that this shift indicates healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, which underscores a significant public health change. However, concerns remain about ensuring that diabetes patients continue to have access to these vital treatments.
The study utilized data from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, which may not represent the entire population of the United States.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects and have been shown to help individuals lose up to 26% of their body weight. The surging sales of these drugs have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become some of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies worldwide. Nonetheless, the high demand has created obstacles for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. Both companies have invested billions to enhance their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for these 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.