A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a notable trend: the percentage of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications is increasing, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining.
The study raises concerns about potential shortages of these treatments, which work by imitating a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels and reduces appetite. Initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes, the Food and Drug Administration expanded the use of GLP-1 treatments, such as Wegovy, for weight loss in 2021.
Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, two key players in the GLP-1 drug market, are grappling with the challenge of meeting the rising demand for these medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined medical records from 45 million Americans who had at least one doctor visit between 2011 and 2023. Their findings indicate that the proportion of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes declined from nearly 90% to over 70% between 2019 and 2023. Conversely, the percentage of new GLP-1 users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
“This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, marking a significant public health shift,” stated Yee Hui Yeo, a co-first author of the study. However, the increase in non-diabetic prescriptions raises alarms about ensuring that diabetic patients continue to have access to these essential treatments.
The study utilized data from healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not represent national trends.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity for their appetite suppression effects and have been shown to help users lose up to 26% of their body weight. The surge in sales has propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become some of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally, yet high demand has resulted in difficulties for some patients in filling their prescriptions. Both companies have invested billions to enhance their production capacities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs will soar to $105 billion by 2030, with an anticipated increase in adoption to approximately 31.5 million people in the U.S. by 2035, representing about 9% of the population.