A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates that the number of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications is rising, even as new prescriptions for diabetic patients are declining. The researchers express concerns about potential shortages of these treatments.
GLP-1 drugs, which mimic a hormone that regulates blood sugar and reduces appetite, were originally approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, in 2021, the FDA approved Wegovy, a GLP-1 treatment for weight loss.
Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are currently facing challenges in meeting the increasing demand for GLP-1 medications, including Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other organizations analyzed medical records from 45 million Americans who visited healthcare providers between 2011 and 2023. They discovered that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to over 70% between 2019 and 2023. Conversely, the proportion of new users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, a co-first author of the study, stated that this trend suggests healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, which marks a notable public health shift. However, it also raises concerns regarding the availability of medications for diabetic patients.
The study utilized data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, although it may not reflect the national landscape.
In recent years, GLP-1 medications have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing properties, with users reportedly losing up to 26% of their body weight.
The soaring sales of these drugs have elevated Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to the forefront of the pharmaceutical industry. However, the high demand has led to difficulties for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. In response, both companies have invested heavily to enhance production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an estimated 31.5 million people in the U.S. adopting these medications by 2035, which would represent around 9% of the population.