A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals an increasing number of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications, coinciding with a decrease in new prescriptions for those with diabetes. The authors of the study express concern that this trend could lead to potential shortages of these treatments.
GLP-1 drugs function by imitating a hormone that helps to control blood sugar and curtail appetite. Initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes, the FDA expanded the use of the GLP-1 treatment Wegovy for weight management in 2021.
Since this expansion, pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are reportedly struggling to keep up with the soaring demand for GLP-1 medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined medical records of 45 million Americans who attended at least one doctor’s appointment from 2011 to 2023. Their findings indicated a decline in new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes, dropping from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023. Conversely, the share of new users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
“This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, indicating a notable shift in public health priorities,” stated Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study. “However, this also raises concerns regarding potential medication shortages and the importance of ensuring patients with diabetes have continued access to these treatments.”
The study utilized data from healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not fully represent the national picture.
GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity in recent years due to their appetite-suppressing effects, with users experiencing weight loss of up to 26% of their body weight.
The significant rise in sales of these medications has positioned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk among the world’s most valuable pharmaceutical companies. However, the high demand has created challenges for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. Both companies have invested billions in increasing production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project the global market for these drugs could soar to $105 billion by 2030. They also predict that by 2035, around 31.5 million people in the U.S.—approximately 9% of the population—will adopt these medications.