A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a growing trend where an increasing number of individuals without diabetes are being prescribed GLP-1 medications, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining. This development raises concerns about potential drug shortages.
GLP-1 drugs are designed to imitate a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and curb appetite. Initially approved for type 2 diabetes treatment, the FDA expanded the use of GLP-1 drug Wegovy for weight loss in 2021.
Currently, pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are facing challenges in producing enough GLP-1 medications, including Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, to meet the surging demand.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited a doctor between 2011 and 2023. Their findings indicate that the percentage of new GLP-1 users diagnosed with type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% by 2023, while the share of new users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, noted that this shift indicates healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment. However, she also highlighted concerns regarding the availability of these drugs for diabetes patients.
The study utilized data from healthcare software company TriNetX, which might not represent the entire nation.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their weight-loss effects, with users experiencing a reduction of up to 26% of their body weight.
The soaring sales of these medications have elevated Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become some of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. However, heightened demand has led to difficulties for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. Both firms have invested substantial resources to increase the production of these drugs.
According to Morgan Stanley analysts, the global market for GLP-1 medications is projected to reach $105 billion by 2030, with an anticipated adoption rate of approximately 31.5 million people in the U.S., equating to about 9% of the population, by 2035.