A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a rising trend in the number of people without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications, while new prescriptions for individuals with diabetes are declining. The study’s authors express concerns about potential shortages of these treatments.
GLP-1 drugs, which function by mimicking a hormone that controls blood sugar levels and curbs appetite, were initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes. However, in 2021, the FDA authorized the use of Wegovy, a GLP-1 treatment, for weight loss.
Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are facing challenges in meeting the increasing demand for these medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other organizations examined the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited a healthcare provider from 2011 to 2023. Their findings indicate a decrease in the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes, which fell from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023. Conversely, the share of new users without type 2 diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, noted, “This data suggests that more healthcare providers are seeing the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, which is a significant public health shift. However, it also raises concerns about potential medication shortages and the need to ensure that patients with diabetes still have access to these treatments.”
The study utilized data from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, although the data may not be representative on a national scale.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, with studies showing they can help users lose up to 26% of their body weight.
The soaring sales of these drugs have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become some of the world’s most valuable pharmaceutical companies. However, this high demand has led to difficulties for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. Both companies have invested heavily to increase their production capabilities.
Market analysts at Morgan Stanley predict that the global market for GLP-1 medications could reach $105 billion by 2030, and they expect that about 9% of the U.S. population—approximately 31.5 million people—will use these drugs by 2035.