A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals an increasing trend in the prescription of GLP-1 medications to individuals without diabetes, while prescriptions for those with diabetes are on the decline.
GLP-1 drugs, designed to replicate a hormone responsible for blood sugar regulation and appetite suppression, were originally approved for treating type 2 diabetes. However, following the FDA’s approval of Wegovy for weight loss in 2021, demand for these medications has surged.
As a consequence, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are encountering challenges in meeting the increasing demand for GLP-1 medications, 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 had at least one medical visit from 2011 to 2023. The results showed that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes declined from nearly 90% to over 70% between 2019 and 2023. Conversely, the proportion of new users without type 2 diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, emphasized that this trend indicates a growing recognition of the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, reflecting a significant shift in public health. However, this also raises concerns about potential shortages of these medications and the necessity to ensure access for diabetic patients.
The study utilized data from the healthcare software firm TriNetX, although its representation may not be nationwide.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, allowing users to lose up to 26% of their body weight. As a result, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have become leading pharmaceutical companies, with soaring sales complicating the fulfillment of prescriptions for some patients. Both companies have committed billions to enhance the production of these drugs.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 medications will reach $105 billion by 2030, anticipating that approximately 31.5 million people in the U.S.—around 9% of the population—will adopt these medications by 2035.