A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a rising trend in the prescription of GLP-1 drugs among individuals without diabetes, coinciding with a decrease in new prescriptions for those diabetic patients. Researchers express concern that this shift could lead to potential shortages of these medications.
GLP-1 drugs function by imitating a hormone that helps control blood sugar while also curbing appetite. Initially approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, the FDA greenlighted Wegovy for weight management in 2021.
Since then, pharmaceutical giants Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in scaling production of GLP-1 drugs—such as Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic—amidst soaring demand.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed medical records from 45 million Americans who visited doctors between 2011 and 2023. Findings show 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 percentage of new users without diabetes surged from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, the study’s co-first author, commented that this trend indicates a growing recognition among healthcare providers regarding the utility of these medications for obesity treatment, a significant public health pivot. However, concerns are raised about ensuring continued access for diabetes patients.
The study utilized data from healthcare software company TriNetX, which might not reflect national demographics accurately.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing properties, with users reportedly losing up to 26% of their body weight.
The booming sales of these medications have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become two of the world’s most valuable pharmaceutical firms. However, high demand has complicated prescription fulfillment for some patients, prompting both companies to invest billions in increasing production capacity.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for these drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an estimated 31.5 million Americans—approximately 9% of the population—expected to adopt these treatments by 2035.