Recent findings published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicate an increasing number of people without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications, while new prescriptions for diabetes patients are declining. This trend raises alarms about potential shortages of these treatments.
GLP-1 drugs mimic a hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels and curtailing appetite. Originally approved for treating type 2 diabetes, the FDA expanded their use in 2021 to include weight loss, with Wegovy leading the way.
Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are facing challenges in keeping up with the skyrocketing demand for GLP-1 medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center examined medical records of 45 million Americans between 2011 and 2023. They found that the percentage of new GLP-1 users diagnosed with type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023. In contrast, new users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
“This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, marking a significant public health shift,” stated Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study. “However, it raises concerns about the potential for medication shortages and the necessity to ensure continued access for diabetes patients.”
The study utilized data from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, which may not fully represent national trends.
In recent years, GLP-1 medications have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, enabling users to lose up to 26% of their body weight.
The surge in demand has propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to the forefront of the pharmaceutical industry in terms of value. However, the high demand is complicating prescription fulfillment for some patients. Both companies have invested billions to increase production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030. They also forecast that approximately 31.5 million people in the U.S., or about 9% of the population, will adopt these medications by 2035.