A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that the proportion of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications is on the rise, while new prescriptions for diabetic patients are declining. This trend has raised concerns regarding potential shortages of these treatments.
GLP-1 medications, originally designed to manage type 2 diabetes, function by imitating a hormone that controls blood sugar levels and curbs appetite. The approval of Wegovy for weight loss by the Food and Drug Administration in 2021 expanded their use beyond diabetes management.
Since the approval, companies such as Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in meeting the growing demand for GLP-1 medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed data from 45 million Americans who visited a healthcare provider between 2011 and 2023. Their findings indicated that the percentage of new GLP-1 users diagnosed with type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023. Conversely, the share of new users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Co-first author Yee Hui Yeo remarked that the data suggests an increasing recognition among healthcare providers of the medications’ benefits for obesity treatment, marking a significant shift in public health focus. However, this shift could potentially jeopardize access for diabetes patients who still require these essential treatments.
The study utilized data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not represent the entire national demographic.
GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity for their ability to suppress appetite, with users reportedly losing up to 26% of their body weight. The surge in sales has significantly boosted the market values of Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, making them among the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. Despite their robust investments in production increases, fulfilling prescription demands has become a struggle for some patients.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 medications could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an expected adoption rate of approximately 31.5 million individuals in the U.S. by 2035, equivalating to about 9% of the population.