A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a notable shift in the usage of GLP-1 medications, indicating a rise in prescriptions among individuals without diabetes while those with diabetes are receiving fewer prescriptions.
According to the study, the increasing off-label use of GLP-1 drugs raises concerns about a potential shortage of these treatments. GLP-1 medications are designed to mimic a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels and diminishes appetite; they were initially approved for type 2 diabetes management, but the FDA approved Wegovy for weight loss in 2021.
Since this approval, pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in meeting the escalating demand for GLP-1 drugs, including Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined the medical records of 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 decreased from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023, while those without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, noted that this trend indicates a growing awareness among healthcare providers of the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, marking a significant public health shift. However, it also raises alarms about ensuring continued access to these treatments for diabetes patients.
While the study relied on data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not comprehensively represent the national landscape, it highlights the increasing popularity of GLP-1 medications for their proven appetite-suppressing effects, with some users reportedly losing up to 26% of their body weight.
The robust sales of GLP-1 drugs have positioned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk as leading pharmaceutical companies on a global scale. Nonetheless, the soaring demand has led to difficulties for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. Both companies have invested significantly to enhance their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for these medications could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an estimated 31.5 million individuals in the U.S., or about 9% of the population, expected to adopt these drugs by 2035.