A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine highlights a rising trend in the prescription of GLP-1 medications to individuals without diabetes, coinciding with a decrease in new prescriptions for those with diabetes. Researchers express concern over the implications this shift may have on the availability of these treatments.
GLP-1 medications, designed to replicate a hormone that manages blood sugar levels and suppresses appetite, were initially authorized for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, in 2021, the FDA expanded their use to include weight loss treatments, such as the drug Wegovy.
As demand for GLP-1 drugs continues to soar, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are experiencing challenges in meeting production demands for this category of medications, which includes Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
The study, conducted by researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions, analyzed medical records from 45 million Americans who visited a healthcare provider between 2011 and 2023. Findings revealed that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023, while the share of new users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, noted, “This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, marking a significant public health shift. However, it also raises concerns about potential medication shortages and the need to ensure that diabetes patients continue to have access to these treatments.”
The study utilized data from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, which may not represent the entire population. In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity for their appetite suppression effects, enabling users to lose as much as 26% of their body weight.
The booming sales of these medications have elevated Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become two of the world’s most valuable pharmaceutical firms. Nevertheless, this high demand has led to difficulties for some patients in filling their prescriptions. Both companies have invested significantly to increase their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for these drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030. They also expect that the adoption of GLP-1 medications in the U.S. will affect approximately 31.5 million people, about 9% of the population, by 2035.