A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates that the proportion of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications is increasing, while new prescriptions for diabetes patients are on the decline. Researchers highlight this trend as concerning, as it may lead to potential shortages of these important treatments.
GLP-1 drugs function by mimicking a hormone that manages blood sugar levels and curbs appetite. Initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes, the FDA also greenlit Wegovy for weight loss in 2021.
Since then, pharmaceutical companies like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced significant challenges in meeting the growing demand for GLP-1 medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
The study, conducted by researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions, analyzed medical records of 45 million Americans who visited a doctor between 2011 and 2023. Findings revealed that the share of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to over 70% between 2019 and 2023. Concurrently, the proportion of new users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, remarked that this shift suggests a growing recognition among healthcare providers regarding the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment. However, this trend also raises alarms about potential medication shortages and the necessity to ensure continued access for diabetes patients.
The study utilized data from the healthcare software firm TriNetX, which may not fully represent national trends.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, with users able to lose up to 26% of their body weight. This surging demand has propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become some of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. Unfortunately, the high demand has sometimes made it difficult for patients to fill their prescriptions. Both companies have invested billions in enhancing their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for GLP-1 medications could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an estimated 31.5 million people in the U.S. adopting these drugs by 2035, representing around 9% of the U.S. population.