A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a significant shift in the prescription patterns of GLP-1 drugs, showing an increase in prescriptions for individuals without diabetes while new prescriptions for those with diabetes decline.
The study highlights concerns regarding potential shortages of these medications, which are designed to mimic a hormone that controls blood sugar levels and suppresses appetite. Initially approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, these drugs gained additional approval for weight loss in 2021 with the FDA’s sanctioning of Wegovy.
Since this approval, pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have been struggling to meet the rising demand for GLP-1 medications, which include popular options like Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, alongside other institutions, analyzed the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited a doctor between 2011 and 2023. Their findings reveal that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023, while the share of new users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, commented on the implications of this data, suggesting that healthcare providers are increasingly recognizing the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, marking a significant public health trend. However, Yeo cautioned that this trend could jeopardize access for diabetes patients who still require these treatments.
The study utilized data from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, though this data may not fully represent national trends.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained fame for their appetite-suppressing side effects, leading to weight loss of up to 26%. The soaring sales of these medications have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to the forefront of the pharmaceutical industry, making them some of the most valuable companies globally. However, the high demand has resulted in challenges for patients attempting to fill their prescriptions. Both companies have invested substantial resources to increase production.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, with approximately 31.5 million people, or about 9% of the U.S. population, expected to adopt these medications by 2035.