A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine highlights a significant shift in the prescription of GLP-1 medications. The research shows that the percentage of patients without diabetes receiving these drugs is increasing, while new prescriptions for individuals with diabetes are declining.
The authors of the study caution that this trend may lead to potential shortages of these important treatments. GLP-1 medications function by imitating a hormone that manages blood sugar levels and decreases appetite. Originally approved for treating type 2 diabetes, the FDA expanded the use of Wegovy for weight loss in 2021.
Consequently, pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are facing challenges in producing enough GLP-1 drugs, including Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, to satisfy the growing demand.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined the medical records of over 45 million Americans who visited healthcare providers between 2011 and 2023. They discovered that the share of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% in 2019 to more than 70% in 2023. Conversely, the proportion of new users without type 2 diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, a co-first author of the study, remarked that the findings indicate an increasing recognition among healthcare providers of the advantages these medications offer for obesity treatment, marking a significant public health shift. However, this also raises concerns about ensuring continued access to these treatments for diabetes patients.
The study utilized data from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, which may not represent the entire national population.
GLP-1 drugs have surged in popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, with users often experiencing weight loss of up to 26%. The booming sales of these medications have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become two of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. However, this high demand has made it challenging for some patients to obtain their necessary prescriptions. In response, both companies are investing substantial amounts to enhance production.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for these drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an estimated 31.5 million people in the U.S. using these treatments by 2035, accounting for approximately 9% of the population.