A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that the number of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 drugs is on the rise, while new prescriptions for diabetic patients are declining.
The trend is concerning, as GLP-1 medications, which mimic hormones that manage blood sugar levels and suppress appetite, were initially created for type 2 diabetes treatment. However, the FDA’s approval of Wegovy for weight loss in 2021 has led to increasing use of these drugs beyond diabetes management.
Manufacturers, including Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, are finding it challenging to meet growing demands for their GLP-1 drug offerings—Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Research conducted by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed the medical history of 45 million Americans from 2011 to 2023, finding that the percentage of new GLP-1 prescriptions among type 2 diabetes patients dropped from nearly 90% to over 70%. Conversely, the percentage of new users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, a co-author of the study, noted that while the data indicates a shift in treating obesity with these medications, it raises alarms regarding potential shortages and underscores the importance of ensuring access for diabetic patients.
The study sourced data from healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not reflect a national sample.
GLP-1 drugs have surged in popularity due to their weight loss effectiveness, with users reportedly losing up to 26% of their body weight. The soaring sales have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to the forefront of the pharmaceutical industry, yet the heightened demand has made prescription fulfillment difficult for some patients. Both companies have made significant investments to increase the production of these drugs.
Market analysts predict that the global GLP-1 drug market could reach $105 billion by 2030, with projections suggesting that approximately 31.5 million Americans, or 9% of the population, could be using these medications by 2035.