A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that the percentage of individuals without diabetes who are being prescribed GLP-1 medications is increasing, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining. Researchers express concerns about potential medication shortages due to this trend.
GLP-1 medications, which are designed to mimic a hormone regulating blood sugar levels and reducing appetite, were initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes. However, the FDA approved the use of Wegovy, a GLP-1 treatment, for weight loss in 2021.
Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are facing challenges in meeting the burgeoning demand for GLP-1 drugs, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
A team from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed the medical records of 45 million Americans over the period from 2011 to 2023. The findings indicate a drop in the share of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes from nearly 90% to over 70% between 2019 and 2023. Conversely, the number of new GLP-1 users without type 2 diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, a co-first author of the study, noted, “This data suggests that more healthcare providers recognize the benefits of these medications for addressing obesity, marking a significant shift in public health. However, it raises concerns about potential medication shortages and the need to ensure that patients with diabetes maintain access to these treatments.”
The study utilized data from the health care software firm TriNetX, which may not fully represent national trends.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, leading to weight loss of up to 26% for users. The surge in sales has propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become two of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. However, high demand has resulted in difficulties for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. Both companies have invested significantly to boost production.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for these drugs will soar to $105 billion by 2030, with an estimated 31.5 million people, or about 9% of the U.S. population, expected to adopt these drugs by 2035.