A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a growing trend in the prescription of GLP-1 drugs to individuals without diabetes, coinciding with a decline in new prescriptions for those with diabetes. The study raises concerns about potential shortages of these medications.
GLP-1 drugs are designed to mimic a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels and decreases appetite. Initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes, the FDA also authorized Wegovy, a GLP-1 treatment, for weight loss in 2021.
Despite the approval, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are struggling to keep up with the rising demand for these medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
The researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined the medical records of 45 million Americans from 2011 to 2023. They found that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes declined from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023. Conversely, the proportion of new GLP-1 users without type 2 diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, stated, “This data suggests that more healthcare providers are seeing the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, which is a significant public health shift. However, it also raises concerns about potential medication shortages and the need to ensure that patients with diabetes still have access to these treatments.”
The study utilized data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, though it may not reflect a nationally representative sample.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their effects on appetite suppression and their ability to help users lose up to 26% of their body weight.
The surge in sales of these medications has propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk into the ranks of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally, but this high demand has made it challenging for some patients to obtain their prescribed drugs. Both companies have committed billions to boost production.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an expected adoption of these medications by approximately 31.5 million people in the U.S. by 2035, accounting for around 9% of the population.