A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals an increase in the number of people without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications, while prescriptions for those with diabetes have decreased. The authors of the study express concern over this trend, as it may lead to potential shortages of these treatments.
GLP-1 medications work by mimicking a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels and curbs appetite. Initially approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, the FDA expanded the approval in 2021 for Wegovy, a GLP-1 drug, for weight loss purposes.
Since then, manufacturers Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in producing sufficient quantities of GLP-1 drugs—this class includes Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic— to meet the growing demand.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed medical records from 45 million Americans who visited a healthcare provider between 2011 and 2023. They found that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023, while the share of new users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
“This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, which indicates a significant shift in public health,” stated Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study. “However, it also raises concerns about potential medication shortages and the necessity to ensure diabetes patients continue to have access to these treatments.”
The data was sourced from the healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not reflect a nationwide representation.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, with users experiencing weight loss of up to 26%. The booming sales of these medications have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become some of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. However, the heightened demand has complicated access for some patients to fill their prescriptions, prompting both companies to invest billions in boosting production.
Morgan Stanley forecasts that the global market for these medications could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an estimated 31.5 million people in the U.S. expected to adopt these treatments by 2035—representing around 9% of the population.