A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a rising trend in prescriptions of GLP-1 medications among individuals without diabetes, coinciding with a decrease in new prescriptions for those with diabetes. This shift raises concerns about potential shortages of these important treatments.
GLP-1 drugs, which mimic a hormone that controls blood sugar and curbs appetite, were initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes. In 2021, the FDA extended approval to Wegovy for weight loss. Following this, pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in producing enough GLP-1 medications, including Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, to satisfy increasing demand.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions reviewed medical records from 45 million Americans who visited healthcare providers between 2011 and 2023. Findings indicated that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023. Conversely, the share of new users without type 2 diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, a co-first author of the study, commented that the data suggests a growing recognition among healthcare providers of the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, reflecting a significant shift in public health. However, this trend also heightens concerns about ensuring that patients with diabetes continue to have access to these essential treatments.
The study utilized data from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, though its national representation may be limited. Over recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity for their appetite-suppressing effects, with users reportedly losing up to 26% of their body weight.
The surge in sales has positioned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk as leading pharmaceutical companies globally. However, the high demand has resulted in some patients experiencing difficulties in obtaining their prescriptions. To address this, both companies have committed significant resources to increase production.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 medications could reach $105 billion by 2030, with anticipated usage soaring to approximately 31.5 million people, or about 9% of the U.S. population, by 2035.