A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals an increase in the percentage of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications, while the number of new prescriptions for diabetic patients is on the decline.
Concerns have been raised by the study’s authors about potential shortages of these essential treatments. GLP-1 drugs mimic a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels and suppress appetite, initially approved primarily for type 2 diabetes treatment. In 2021, the FDA extended approval for the GLP-1 medication Wegovy specifically for weight management.
As demand surges, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are facing challenges in ramping up production of GLP-1 drugs, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited a doctor between 2011 and 2023. They observed a significant decline in the proportion of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes, dropping from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023. Conversely, the share of new GLP-1 users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
“This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications in treating obesity, indicating a major shift in public health,” said Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study. “However, it also highlights potential shortages of medication and emphasizes the need to maintain access for diabetes patients.”
The research utilized data from the healthcare software firm TriNetX, which may not represent the entire national population.
GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, with users reportedly losing as much as 26% of their body weight. The soaring sales of these medications have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become among the world’s most valuable pharmaceutical companies. However, the high demand has resulted in difficulties for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. Both companies are investing heavily to boost their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for GLP-1 medications will reach $105 billion by 2030, with an estimated 31.5 million people, around 9% of the U.S. population, projected to adopt these drugs by 2035.