A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a significant shift in the prescription patterns of GLP-1 drugs. The report indicates an increase in prescriptions for individuals without diabetes while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining.
GLP-1 medications, which mimic a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and curb appetite, were initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes. However, since the FDA’s approval of Wegovy for weight loss in 2021, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in meeting the surging demand for these treatments.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited a doctor from 2011 to 2023. Their analysis found that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to over 70% between 2019 and 2023. In contrast, the share of new users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, a co-first author of the study, noted that this trend reflects a growing recognition among healthcare providers of the drugs’ benefits for treating obesity, marking a significant public health development. However, it also raises concerns about potential medication shortages and the necessity to ensure ongoing access for diabetes patients.
The findings stem from data provided by the healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not fully represent the national landscape. In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, with some users reportedly losing up to 26% of their body weight.
This surge in demand has transformed Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk into some of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally, yet the high demand has led to difficulties for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. Both companies have invested substantial amounts to enhance their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, with about 31.5 million people in the U.S. expected to adopt these treatments by 2035, which is around 9% of the population.