A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a significant rise in the number of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications, while new prescriptions for diabetes patients have declined. This trend raises alarms about possible shortages of these essential treatments.
GLP-1 medications, initially designed for type 2 diabetes management, function by imitating a hormone that controls blood sugar levels and curbs appetite. The FDA expanded their approval in 2021 to include weight loss treatments, particularly with the approval of Wegovy.
Since that decision, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in keeping up with the surging demand for GLP-1 drugs, such as Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center along with other institutions analyzed medical records from 45 million Americans from 2011 to 2023. Their findings indicated that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to over 70% between 2019 and 2023. Conversely, the proportion of new users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, a co-first author of the study, highlighted that this data reflects a growing recognition among healthcare providers about the benefits of these medications for treating obesity. However, she emphasized the need for vigilance to prevent potential medication shortages and to ensure that diabetes patients maintain access to necessary treatments.
The study utilized data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, although it may not represent the entire national landscape.
In recent years, GLP-1 medications have gained popularity for their appetite-suppressing effects, with users reported to lose up to 26% of their body weight.
The soaring demand for these treatments has positioned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk among the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. However, the heightened interest has made it increasingly difficult for some patients to fill their prescriptions. Both companies have committed billions to enhance their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs will ascend to $105 billion by 2030, anticipating that around 31.5 million people in the U.S.—approximately 9% of the population—will adopt these medications by 2035.