A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a growing trend of GLP-1 drug prescriptions among individuals without diabetes, while prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining.
Researchers highlight concerns about potential shortages of these treatments as demand increases. GLP-1 medications, originally approved for type 2 diabetes management, have gained wider use for weight loss following the FDA’s approval of Wegovy in 2021.
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are currently facing challenges in meeting the skyrocketing demand for their GLP-1 medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
The study, conducted by researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions, analyzed the medical records of 45 million Americans between 2011 and 2023. The findings indicate 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%.
Yee Hui Yeo, a co-first author of the study, noted that this shift reflects a growing recognition among healthcare providers of the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment. However, it also raises significant concerns regarding the availability of these medications for diabetic patients.
The research utilized data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, which might not represent the entire national picture.
GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity for their ability to suppress appetite, aiding users in losing up to 26% of their body weight. The surge in sales has propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become two of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally, though this high demand has made it challenging for some patients to obtain their prescriptions. In response, both companies have invested significant resources to increase production.
Analysts at Morgan Stanley predict that the global market for these drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an estimated 31.5 million people, around 9% of the U.S. population, projected to adopt these medications by 2035.