A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that the share of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications is rising, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining. The authors of the study express concerns about potential shortages of these important treatments.
GLP-1 drugs function by mimicking a hormone that controls blood sugar levels and reduces appetite. Initially approved for type 2 diabetes treatment, Wegovy, a GLP-1 drug, received FDA approval for weight loss in 2021.
Currently, pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are facing challenges in meeting the increasing demand for GLP-1 medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed medical records from 45 million Americans who visited a doctor between 2011 and 2023. They discovered that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% to over 70% between 2019 and 2023. Concurrently, the proportion of new GLP-1 users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, the co-first author of the study, noted that this trend indicates a growing recognition among healthcare providers of the medications’ benefits for obesity treatment. However, it also highlights concerns regarding the accessibility of these treatments for diabetes patients.
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 for their appetite-suppressing effects, leading to potential weight loss of up to 26%. This increased demand has significantly boosted the market value of Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, making them two of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. However, the surge in demand has resulted in some patients experiencing difficulties in filling their prescriptions. In response, both companies are investing billions to increase their production capabilities.
Analysts from Morgan Stanley project the global market for GLP-1 medications could reach $105 billion by 2030. They also anticipate that the adoption of these drugs will grow to approximately 31.5 million individuals in the U.S., representing around 9% of the population, by 2035.