A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a significant increase in the number of people without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications, even as new prescriptions for diabetes patients decline.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited a doctor from 2011 to 2023. They found 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 users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
These GLP-1 drugs, including Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Ozempic, are designed to mimic a hormone that controls blood sugar levels and reduces appetite. Initially approved for type 2 diabetes treatment, Wegovy was sanctioned for weight loss by the FDA in 2021. The rising popularity of these medications has led to concerns about potential shortages, as both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly struggle to keep up with increasing demand.
Yee Hui Yeo, one of the study’s co-authors, noted that an increasing number of healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of GLP-1 drugs in combating obesity, marking a significant shift in public health approach. However, the rising prescriptions for those without diabetes could impact diabetes patients’ access to these vital treatments.
The soaring sales of GLP-1 medications have positioned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk as leading pharmaceutical companies globally, but the high demand has resulted in difficulties for some patients trying to fill prescriptions. Both companies are investing heavily to enhance production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley projects that the global market for GLP-1 drugs will soar to $105 billion by 2030, with an estimated adoption rate of about 31.5 million people in the U.S. by 2035, representing approximately 9% of the population.