A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a rising trend among individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining.
GLP-1 drugs, which mimic a hormone that regulates blood sugar and curbs appetite, were originally approved for treating type 2 diabetes. However, in 2021, the FDA extended the approval of the GLP-1 treatment Wegovy for weight loss purposes. Since that time, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in producing sufficient quantities of these medications—including Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic—to meet increasing demand.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited doctors between 2011 and 2023. Their findings show that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% by 2023. Conversely, the share of new GLP-1 users without diabetes surged from 10% to 25% during the same period.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, stated, “This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, which marks a significant shift in public health. However, it also raises concerns about potential medication shortages and access for diabetes patients.”
The study utilized data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, which may lack national representation. In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity for their appetite-suppressing effects, with users reportedly losing up to 26% of their body weight.
The soaring sales of these medications have elevated Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become the world’s most valuable pharmaceutical companies. However, the intense demand has created challenges for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. Both companies have invested billions to increase production.
Analysts at Morgan Stanley project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs will hit $105 billion by 2030. They also forecast that about 31.5 million people in the U.S., approximately 9% of the population, will adopt these medications by 2035.