A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a noteworthy trend in the prescription of GLP-1 medications. The analysis indicates that the percentage of individuals without diabetes receiving these drugs is increasing, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are on the decline.
The study highlights concerns regarding potential shortages of these essential treatments. GLP-1 medications are designed to imitate a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels and suppress appetite. Initially, these drugs were approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, in 2021, the FDA expanded the approval of the GLP-1 treatment Wegovy for weight management.
Following this approval, pharmaceutical giants Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in meeting the soaring demand for GLP-1 medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined medical records of 45 million Americans who sought medical care between 2011 and 2023. The findings show that the proportion of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023. Conversely, the share of new GLP-1 users without type 2 diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Co-first author Yee Hui Yeo noted that this shift suggests an increasing recognition among healthcare providers regarding the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, signaling a significant change in public health perspectives. Nonetheless, this trend raises alarms about the potential scarcity of these medications, emphasizing the necessity to ensure continued access for diabetes patients.
The data for the study came from the healthcare analytics firm TriNetX, which may not represent the entire national population.
GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, with studies indicating users can lose up to 26% of their body weight. The skyrocketing demand has significantly boosted the value of Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, turning them into two of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. However, this demand has also led to difficulties for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. In response, both companies have invested billions to enhance their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for GLP-1 medications will reach $105 billion by 2030, estimating that the adoption of these drugs could involve around 31.5 million people in the U.S., approximately 9% of the population, by 2035.