A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that the number of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications is increasing, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining. This trend raises concerns about possible shortages of these drugs, which are used to regulate blood sugar levels and suppress appetite.
Initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 drugs saw a new application in 2021 when the FDA authorized Wegovy for weight loss. Since then, pharmaceutical companies like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have struggled to meet the rising demand for these medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center analyzed the medical records of 45 million Americans between 2011 and 2023. Their findings indicate that the proportion of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023. Conversely, the percentage of new users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Co-first author Yee Hui Yeo commented on the shift, noting that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these drugs for obesity treatment, but highlighted the need for continuous access for diabetes patients.
The study utilized data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not represent the entire country.
In recent years, GLP-1 medications have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, with some users losing up to 26% of their body weight. The soaring demand has propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become leading global pharmaceutical companies, but it has also complicated prescription fulfillment for many patients. Both companies have invested significantly to increase production.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global GLP-1 drug market could reach $105 billion by 2030, with approximately 31.5 million people, or about 9% of the U.S. population, likely to adopt these treatments by 2035.