A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a concerning trend in the prescription of GLP-1 medications. The research indicates that the number of individuals without diabetes receiving these drugs is increasing, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are on the decline.
The authors of the study caution that this shift may lead to potential shortages of these vital treatments. GLP-1 drugs, which were originally approved for managing type 2 diabetes, function by mimicking a hormone that controls blood sugar levels and suppresses appetite. In 2021, the FDA expanded the use of GLP-1 treatments by approving Wegovy specifically for weight loss.
Since this expansion, pharmaceutical companies such as Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are facing challenges in producing sufficient supplies of essential GLP-1 drugs like Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic to satisfy growing demand.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited doctors between 2011 and 2023. They discovered that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes declined from nearly 90% to over 70% between 2019 and 2023. Concurrently, the percentage of new users without type 2 diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, a co-author of the study, noted that this data indicates a significant shift in public health attitudes as healthcare providers recognize the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment. However, he also emphasized the potential issue of medication shortages, highlighting the need to ensure that diabetes patients continue to have access to these essential drugs.
The research utilized data from healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not fully represent the national landscape.
Over recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their weight-loss benefits, with users reportedly shedding up to 26% of their body weight. The soaring sales of these drugs have elevated Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become some of the most valuable pharmaceutical firms globally. However, the increased demand has made it difficult for many patients to obtain their prescriptions. In response, both companies are investing heavily to enhance their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 medications will reach $105 billion by 2030, with the usage anticipated to surmount 31.5 million people in the U.S., representing nearly 9% of the population, by 2035.