A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates an increase in the number of non-diabetic patients prescribed GLP-1 medications, while new prescriptions for diabetic individuals are decreasing. Researchers express concern that this trend may lead to shortages of these important treatments.
GLP-1 medications function by imitating a hormone that helps manage blood sugar levels and curbs appetite. They were originally approved for treating type 2 diabetes, but in 2021, the FDA authorized Wegovy, a GLP-1 treatment, for weight loss purposes.
Since the approval of Wegovy, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in producing sufficient quantities of GLP-1 medications, including Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, to keep up with rising demand.
The study conducted by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited a healthcare provider from 2011 to 2023. Results showed that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% in 2019 to above 70% in 2023. Conversely, the share of new GLP-1 users without type 2 diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
Co-first author Yee Hui Yeo commented that the data suggests an increasing recognition among healthcare providers of the benefits these medications offer in treating obesity, signaling a significant public health shift. However, this raises alarms about possible medication shortages and the need to ensure continued access for diabetes patients.
The study utilized data from healthcare software firm TriNetX, which may not fully represent the national landscape.
In recent years, GLP-1 medications have gained immense popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, with some users reporting weight loss of up to 26% of their body weight.
The booming sales of these drugs have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become some of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. However, high demand has created challenges for many patients in filling prescriptions. In response, both companies have invested billions in increasing production capacity.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for GLP-1 medications could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an expected increase in adoption that may see about 31.5 million individuals, representing roughly 9% of the U.S. population, using these drugs by 2035.