The percentage of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications is increasing, while new prescriptions for diabetic patients are declining, according to a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Researchers expressed concerns that this trend could lead to shortages of these treatments. GLP-1 drugs function by imitating a hormone that manages blood sugar levels and curbs appetite. Originally approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, the FDA approved Wegovy, a GLP-1 treatment, for weight loss in 2021.
Currently, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are facing challenges in meeting the increasing demand for this class of medications, which includes Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
A research team from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed the medical records of 45 million Americans who had at least one doctor visit between 2011 and 2023. They discovered that the share of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to more than 70% from 2019 to 2023, while the percentage of new users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
“This data indicates that healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, reflecting a significant shift in public health,” stated Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study. “However, it also raises concerns about possible medication shortages and the necessity for diabetes patients to have continued access to these treatments.”
The study utilized data from healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not be nationally comprehensive. In recent years, GLP-1 medications have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing side effects, with users reportedly losing up to 26% of their body weight.
The soaring sales of these drugs have positioned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk as some of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. However, the high demand has made it challenging for some patients to fill their prescriptions. Both companies have invested billions to increase their production capabilities for these medications.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs will soar to $105 billion by 2030 and predict that around 31.5 million people in the U.S., or about 9% of the population, will adopt these treatments by 2035.