A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals an increasing number of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 drugs, while new prescriptions for diabetic patients are declining. The authors of the study caution that this shift may lead to potential shortages of these treatments.
GLP-1 drugs are effective in mimicking a hormone that manages blood sugar levels and decreases appetite. Initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes, the FDA expanded approval in 2021 for Wegovy, a GLP-1 treatment aimed at weight loss.
Since then, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in keeping up with the soaring demand for GLP-1 medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined medical records of 45 million Americans who had seen a doctor between 2011 and 2023. Their findings showed that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023. Conversely, the proportion of new users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
“This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, marking a significant public health shift,” stated Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study. “However, this trend raises concerns about the availability of these medications for patients with diabetes.”
The study relied on data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not fully represent national trends.
In recent years, GLP-1 medications have gained popularity because of their appetite-suppressing effects, with users reportedly losing up to 26% of their body weight. The skyrocketing sales of these drugs have turned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk into the world’s most valuable pharmaceutical companies. However, this rising demand has complicated medication availability for some patients, prompting both companies to invest billions in enhancing their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for these drugs will reach $105 billion by 2030. They also estimate that the adoption of GLP-1 medications could extend to about 31.5 million people in the U.S. by 2035, accounting for roughly 9% of the population.