A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals an increase in the number of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 drugs, while prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining. The authors of the study express concerns about potential shortages of these medications.
GLP-1 drugs are designed to mimic a hormone that regulates blood sugar and appetite. Initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes, the FDA expanded their approval in 2021 for weight loss, particularly with the drug Wegovy.
Since this expansion, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly face challenges in producing enough GLP-1 medications—including Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic—to meet the growing demand.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined medical records of 45 million Americans from 2011 to 2023. They found that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023, while 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 treating obesity, marking a significant public health shift,” stated Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study. “However, it also raises concerns about possible medication shortages and ensuring that patients with diabetes continue to have access to these treatments.”
The study utilized data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not fully represent the national landscape.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, enabling some users to lose up to 26% of their body weight.
The surge in sales of these medications has propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk into positions as some of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. However, the high demand has resulted in difficulties for certain patients in obtaining their prescriptions. To address this, both companies have invested billions to enhance their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for these drugs will soar to $105 billion by 2030, with an estimated 31.5 million people in the U.S.—about 9% of the population—expected to adopt these treatments by 2035.