A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals an increasing number of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are on the decline. The authors of the study caution that this trend could lead to potential shortages of these treatments.
GLP-1 drugs, which mimic a hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar and curbing appetite, were originally approved for managing type 2 diabetes. However, in 2021, Wegovy, a GLP-1 treatment, received FDA approval for weight loss.
Following this approval, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in meeting the surging demand for GLP-1 medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined medical records of 45 million Americans who saw a physician between 2011 and 2023. They observed that the proportion of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% in 2019 to above 70% in 2023, while the percentage of new GLP-1 users without type 2 diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
“This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the efficacy of these medications for obesity treatment, marking a significant public health shift,” stated Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study. “However, this raises concerns about possible medication shortages and the necessity to ensure ongoing access for diabetes patients.”
The study used data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not completely represent the national landscape.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity for their appetite-suppressing effects, enabling users to potentially lose up to 26% of their body weight.
The soaring sales of these medications have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become some of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. However, the high demand has created challenges for some patients in getting their required prescriptions. Both companies have invested billions to increase their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs will reach $105 billion by 2030 and expect approximately 31.5 million people in the U.S., or about 9% of the population, to adopt these drugs by 2035.