A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that the percentage of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications is increasing, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining.
The study raises concerns about potential shortages of these treatments. GLP-1 medications, mainly used to manage blood sugar levels and curb appetite, were initially authorized for type 2 diabetes treatment. However, the FDA approved Wegovy for weight loss in 2021, broadening their use.
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are facing challenges in meeting the rising demand for GLP-1 drugs, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic. Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed the medical records of 45 million Americans between 2011 and 2023. The findings indicate a drop in the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023, while new users without the condition increased from 10% to 25%.
Co-first author Yee Hui Yeo highlighted that this trend suggests healthcare providers recognize the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, a significant public health shift. However, it also emphasizes the importance of ensuring diabetes patients retain access to these essential treatments.
The data, sourced from the healthcare software company TriNetX, may not fully represent national trends. In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, enabling users to lose as much as 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. Nevertheless, the high demand has created difficulties for patients trying to fill their prescriptions. Both companies have invested billions to increase their drug production capacities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 medications will reach $105 billion by 2030 and anticipate about 31.5 million individuals in the U.S., roughly 9% of the population, will adopt these drugs by 2035.