A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a growing trend of prescribing GLP-1 drugs to individuals without diabetes, while new prescriptions for diabetic patients are declining. The researchers warn this shift could lead to potential shortages of these medications.
GLP-1 drugs mimic a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels and appetite. Initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes, Wegovy, one of the GLP-1 medications, received FDA approval for weight management in 2021.
Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are currently facing challenges in producing enough GLP-1 drugs, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, to meet the surging demand.
The study, conducted by researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions, analyzed the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited doctors 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% between 2019 and 2023, while the proportion of new users without diabetes increased 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,” noted Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study. “However, this trend also raises concerns about medication shortages and the need to ensure access for diabetic patients.”
The research utilized data from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, although it may not be representative of the entire national population. In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, enabling users to lose up to 26% of their body weight.
The soaring sales of these medications have positioned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk as leading pharmaceutical companies globally. However, this high demand has made it difficult for some patients to fill their prescriptions. Both companies have dedicated billions to increasing production of these drugs.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 medications could reach $105 billion by 2030. Additionally, they expect that by 2035, around 31.5 million people, or approximately 9% of the U.S. population, will adopt these treatments.