A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that the number of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications is increasing, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are on the decline. This shift raises concerns about potential shortages of these treatments.
GLP-1 drugs are designed to mimic a hormone that controls blood sugar levels and reduces appetite. Initially approved for type 2 diabetes, the FDA expanded the approval of the GLP-1 medication Wegovy for weight loss in 2021.
Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are currently struggling to meet the rising demand for GLP-1 drugs, which include the medications Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed medical records of 45 million Americans who visited a doctor between 2011 and 2023. They discovered a drop in new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023, while the percentage of new users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, commented that this trend indicates healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these drugs for obesity treatment, marking a significant shift in public health. However, this trend also raises concerns about ensuring continued access to these medications for patients with diabetes.
The study utilized data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not be reflective of the entire national population.
Over the past few years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity for their appetite-suppressing effects, with users achieving up to a 26% reduction in body weight.
The soaring sales of these medications have significantly increased the market value of Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, making them among the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. However, the high demand has resulted in some patients facing challenges in obtaining their prescriptions, prompting both companies to invest billions to boost production.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for GLP-1 drugs will reach $105 billion by 2030, with an estimated 31.5 million people in the U.S., roughly 9% of the population, expected to adopt these medications by 2035.