A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals an increasing trend of GLP-1 drug prescriptions among individuals without diabetes, while prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining. Researchers caution that this shift may lead to potential shortages of these treatments.
GLP-1 medications are designed to imitate a hormone that helps control blood sugar levels and decreases appetite. Originally, these drugs were approved for treating type 2 diabetes, but in 2021, the FDA also authorized Wegovy for weight loss purposes.
Currently, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are facing challenges in meeting the rising demand for GLP-1 drugs, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
A team from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other affiliated institutions analyzed medical records from 45 million Americans who had at least one doctor visit from 2011 to 2023. Their findings indicate that the percentage of new GLP-1 users diagnosed with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023. Concurrently, the proportion of new users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Co-first author Yee Hui Yeo noted, “This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the advantages of these medications for managing obesity, reflecting a notable public health trend. However, it also highlights concerns regarding potential drug shortages and underscores the necessity for diabetes patients to maintain access to these medications.”
The study utilized data from TriNetX, a healthcare software firm, which may not represent national trends accurately.
GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity for their appetite-suppressing effects, helping users reduce their weight by as much as 26%. The soaring sales of these medications have elevated Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to the status of among the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. Nevertheless, this high demand has complicated the process for some patients to obtain their prescriptions. Both companies have invested heavily to increase their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs will reach $105 billion by 2030. The investment bank also anticipates that approximately 31.5 million people in the U.S., or about 9% of the population, will adopt these treatments by 2035.