A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that the proportion of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications is on the rise, while new prescriptions for diabetic patients are declining.
The authors of the study caution that this trend could lead to potential shortages of these important treatments. GLP-1 drugs, which mimic a hormone that regulates blood sugar and reduces appetite, were initially approved for managing type 2 diabetes. However, the FDA’s approval of Wegovy for weight loss in 2021 has expanded the medications’ usage.
Faced with increasing demand, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are finding it challenging to produce adequate amounts of GLP-1 medications, 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 healthcare providers between 2011 and 2023. They found that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023. Conversely, the share of new users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
According to Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, “This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, signaling a significant public health shift.” Yeo also highlighted the concerns regarding medication shortages and the importance of ensuring continued access for diabetic patients.
The study utilized data from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, which may not fully represent the national landscape.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, leading to weight loss of up to 26% for users. The soaring sales of these drugs have elevated Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to the ranks of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. However, high demand has created difficulties for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. In response, both companies have invested significantly to boost production.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, projecting that about 31.5 million people in the U.S., or approximately 9% of the population, will adopt these medications by 2035.