A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a growing trend in the prescription of GLP-1 drugs among individuals without diabetes, coinciding with a decrease in new prescriptions for diabetic patients. The study raises alarms over potential shortages of these essential medications.
GLP-1 drugs are designed to mimic a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels and lessen appetite. Initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes, these drugs gained additional usage after the FDA authorized Wegovy for weight loss in 2021.
As consumer interest has surged, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are facing challenges in meeting the burgeoning demand for GLP-1 medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and associated institutions analyzed medical records from 45 million Americans who visited healthcare providers between 2011 and 2023. Their findings indicate that the percentage of new GLP-1 users diagnosed with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023. Concurrently, the share of new GLP-1 users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Co-first author Yee Hui Yeo noted, “This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, which signifies a significant public health shift. However, it raises concerns about potential shortages and the importance of ensuring that diabetes patients retain access to these therapies.”
The study extracted data from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, which may not fully represent national trends.
Recently, GLP-1 drugs have gained attention for their appetite-suppressing effects, enabling users to lose as much as 26% of their body weight. The surge in sales has propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to the forefront of the pharmaceutical industry, though high demand has led to challenges in fulfilling prescriptions. Both companies are investing heavily to increase the production of these drugs.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 medications could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an estimated 31.5 million people in the U.S.—around 9% of the population—expected to adopt these drugs by 2035.