A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a growing trend in the prescription of GLP-1 drugs to individuals without diabetes, coinciding with a decline in prescriptions for those with diabetes. Researchers warn that this shift may lead to potential shortages of these vital treatments.
GLP-1 drugs are designed to mimic a hormone that controls blood sugar levels and curbs appetite. Initially approved for managing type 2 diabetes, the FDA expanded their use in 2021 by approving Wegovy for weight loss.
Currently, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are facing challenges in producing sufficient amounts of GLP-1 drugs, including Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, to satisfy the increasing demand.
The study, conducted by researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions, analyzed the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited healthcare providers between 2011 and 2023. 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 increased from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, the co-first author of the study, noted that the data indicates more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, marking a significant shift in public health trends. However, she expressed concerns regarding the potential scarcity of these treatments and emphasized the importance of maintaining access for diabetic patients.
The study employed data from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, which may not fully represent national trends.
GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity in recent years due to their appetite-suppressing properties, with studies showing users can lose up to 26% of their body weight. The soaring sales of these medications have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become some of the most valuable pharmaceutical firms globally. However, the high demand has resulted in difficulties for some patients to obtain their prescriptions, prompting both companies to invest billions to increase production.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs may reach $105 billion by 2030, with expectations that usage among the U.S. population will rise to approximately 31.5 million people, or about 9%, by 2035.