A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a rising trend in the prescription of GLP-1 drugs among individuals without diabetes, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining. This shift has raised alarms regarding possible shortages of these treatments.
GLP-1 medications, which simulate a hormone that manages blood sugar and decreases appetite, were originally approved for type 2 diabetes treatment. However, in 2021, the FDA approved Wegovy, a GLP-1 treatment, for weight loss purposes.
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, key players in the GLP-1 market, are currently facing challenges in meeting the increasing demand for these drugs, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Research conducted by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited a doctor between 2011 and 2023. The analysis found that the proportion of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% to over 70% between 2019 and 2023, while the percentage of new users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
“This data suggests that healthcare providers are increasingly recognizing the advantages of these medications for obesity treatment, marking a significant public health change,” stated Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study. “However, it also raises concerns about potential shortages and the necessity to ensure diabetic patients continue to access these treatments.”
The study utilized data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, though it may not be fully representative of the national landscape.
Over recent years, GLP-1 medications have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, with studies indicating users can lose up to 26% of their body weight.
The surging sales of these drugs have catapulted Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk into positions as the world’s most valuable pharmaceutical companies. However, the high demand has led to difficulties for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. Both companies are investing heavily to increase production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs will reach $105 billion by 2030, and they anticipate the adoption of these medications in the U.S. will grow to about 31.5 million people, representing around 9% of the population, by 2035.