The number of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications is increasing, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining, according to a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
The study raises alarms about potential shortages of these treatments. GLP-1 drugs are designed to imitate a hormone that controls blood sugar levels and curbs appetite. Initially approved for managing type 2 diabetes, the FDA expanded the use of the GLP-1 treatment Wegovy for weight loss in 2021.
Since that approval, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in meeting the growing demand for GLP-1 medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions reviewed medical records from 45 million Americans who visited healthcare providers between 2011 and 2023. The findings revealed that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to over 70% between 2019 and 2023, while the proportion of new users without type 2 diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
“This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the advantages of these medications for treating obesity, marking a significant public health shift,” stated Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study. “However, it also raises concerns about possible medication shortages and the necessity to ensure that diabetes patients continue to have access to these treatments.”
The study utilized data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, which may lack a representative national sample.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, with users reportedly losing up to 26% of their body weight.
The soaring sales of these medications have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become some of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. However, the high demand has made it difficult for certain patients to fill their prescriptions. Both companies have invested billions to increase their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for these drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030. They also anticipate that around 31.5 million people in the U.S., approximately 9% of the population, will adopt these drugs by 2035.