A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates a growing trend among individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are on the decline.
The authors of the study have raised alarms about potential shortages of these treatments. GLP-1 drugs mimic a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels and curbs appetite. Initially approved for type 2 diabetes management, in 2021, the FDA greenlighted Wegovy, a GLP-1 treatment, for weight loss.
Since then, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in producing enough GLP-1 medications, including Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, to meet increasing demand.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed medical records of 45 million Americans with at least one doctor visit from 2011 to 2023. They discovered that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes declined from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023. Conversely, the share of new users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, noted that this shift reflects a growing recognition among healthcare providers of the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, highlighting a significant public health change. However, she cautioned about the implications this trend may have on access for diabetes patients.
Utilizing data from the healthcare software firm TriNetX, which may not fully represent the nation, the study reflects the soaring popularity of GLP-1 drugs for their appetite suppression properties, with users experiencing weight loss of up to 26%.
With skyrocketing sales, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have emerged as leading pharmaceutical companies, but high demand has led to difficulties for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. Both companies have committed billions to enhance their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for GLP-1 drugs will hit $105 billion by 2030. They also forecast that by 2035, around 31.5 million people in the U.S., approximately 9% of the population, will be using these medications.