A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a notable trend in the prescription of GLP-1 drugs, showing an increasing number of prescriptions for individuals without diabetes while prescriptions for diabetic patients decline.
GLP-1 medications, which mimic a hormone that regulates blood sugar and curbs appetite, were initially approved for type 2 diabetes treatment. However, following the FDA’s approval of Wegovy for weight loss in 2021, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in keeping up with heightened demand for these drugs.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center examined medical records of 45 million Americans who visited a doctor between 2011 and 2023. Their findings indicate that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes has decreased from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023. Conversely, the proportion of new GLP-1 users without type 2 diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, a co-first author of the study, noted that the increasing recognition among healthcare providers of the benefits of these medications for obesity indicates a significant shift in public health. However, this trend also raises concerns regarding potential shortages and the necessity of ensuring that diabetes patients continue to have access to these essential treatments.
The study utilized data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not fully represent national trends. 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 surging sales of these medications have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to the forefront of the pharmaceutical industry, becoming two of the most valuable companies globally. Nonetheless, the soaring demand has created challenges for patients in filling their prescriptions. Both companies have committed significant investments to enhance production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, estimating that around 31.5 million individuals in the U.S., or about 9% of the population, will use these drugs by 2035.