A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a growing trend of non-diabetic individuals being prescribed GLP-1 medications, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are on the decline.
Researchers noted that this shift raises concerns about possible shortages of these essential treatments. GLP-1 drugs are designed to imitate a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels and suppresses appetite. Initially approved for type 2 diabetes, the FDA expanded their use in 2021 to include weight management with the drug Wegovy.
Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are currently facing challenges in producing enough GLP-1 medications such as Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic to satisfy the surging demand.
The study involved an analysis of medical records from 45 million Americans who visited healthcare providers between 2011 and 2023. Findings indicated that the percentage of new GLP-1 users suffering from type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023. Conversely, the percentage of new GLP-1 users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, noted, “This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, which signals a significant public health shift. However, it raises serious concerns about potential medication shortages and the importance of ensuring continued access for diabetes patients.”
The data was derived from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, although it may not be fully representative nationwide.
GLP-1 medications have gained popularity for their appetite-suppressing effects and have been found to aid users in losing as much as 26% of their body weight.
The soaring sales of these medications have positioned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk as leading pharmaceutical giants. However, the intensified demand has led to difficulties for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions, prompting both companies to invest billions in boosting production.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for GLP-1 drugs will hit $105 billion by 2030. They also anticipate that around 31.5 million individuals in the U.S. will adopt these medications by 2035, representing about 9% of the population.