A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates that the number of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications is on the rise, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining. Researchers warn that this trend may lead to potential shortages in these treatments.
GLP-1 drugs, which mimic a hormone that regulates blood sugar and suppresses appetite, were initially approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In 2021, the FDA approved Wegovy, a GLP-1 treatment, specifically for weight loss.
Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have been facing challenges in meeting the soaring demand for GLP-1 medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
The research team from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed medical records from 45 million Americans who visited healthcare providers between 2011 and 2023. They discovered that the proportion of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to over 70% between 2019 and 2023. Simultaneously, the share of new users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, remarked that this shift indicates that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, which is a significant public health change. However, she emphasized the concern over ensuring that patients with diabetes retain access to these essential medications.
The study utilized data from TriNetX, a healthcare software firm, although this data may not represent the entire national landscape.
GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity recently due to their appetite-suppressing effects, enabling users to lose up to 26% of their body weight. The skyrocketing sales of these medications have positioned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk as two of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. However, the heightened demand has led to challenges for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions, prompting both companies to invest billions to boost production.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs will reach $105 billion by 2030, with an expected adoption rate of approximately 31.5 million people in the U.S., which represents around 9% of the population, by 2035.