A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates a rising trend in the prescription of GLP-1 drugs for individuals without diabetes, even as new prescriptions for those with diabetes decline. Researchers express concern that this shift could lead to potential shortages of these medications.
GLP-1 drugs, originally approved for treating type 2 diabetes, work by mimicking a hormone that controls blood sugar and suppresses appetite. In 2021, the FDA also sanctioned the use of Wegovy, a GLP-1 treatment, for weight management.
Both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are currently facing challenges in producing sufficient quantities of these medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, to meet the surging demand.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited a doctor between 2011 and 2023. Their findings revealed that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023. Conversely, the percentage of new users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, remarked, “This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, marking a significant public health shift.” However, Yeo also noted concerns about ensuring continued access to these treatments for diabetes patients.
The study utilized data from TriNetX, a healthcare software firm, which may not fully represent national trends.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, with some users reportedly losing up to 26% of their body weight. The surge in sales has positioned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk among the world’s most valuable pharmaceutical companies, but the heightened demand has complicated prescription fulfillment for some patients. Both companies have invested significantly to increase production of these drugs.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for GLP-1 medications could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an estimated 31.5 million people in the U.S. expected to adopt these treatments by 2035, representing about 9% of the population.