A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that the percentage of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 drugs is increasing, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are decreasing. This trend raises concerns about potential shortages of these medications.
GLP-1 drugs, which mimic a hormone that regulates blood sugar and suppresses appetite, were initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes. However, in 2021, the FDA expanded the approval of Wegovy for weight loss, leading to a surge in demand.
Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are currently facing challenges in producing sufficient GLP-1 treatments, including Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, to meet this rising demand.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions reviewed the medical records of 45 million Americans who made at least one doctor visit from 2011 to 2023. They discovered that the proportion of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to over 70% between 2019 and 2023, while the share of new users without type 2 diabetes climbed from 10% to 25%.
“This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, indicating a significant shift in public health,” stated Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study. “However, it also raises worries about potential medication shortages and the importance of ensuring continued access for diabetes patients.”
The findings were based on data from healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not fully represent the national landscape.
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 propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become among the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. Yet, the increased demand has resulted in difficulties for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. Both companies are investing billions to enhance production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs will reach $105 billion by 2030. Additionally, they anticipate that the number of people adopting these medications in the U.S. could rise to approximately 31.5 million by 2035, accounting for about 9% of the population.