A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a growing trend of prescriptions for GLP-1 drugs among individuals without diabetes, while the number of new prescriptions for diabetic patients is declining. This shift raises concerns over potential shortages of these treatments.
GLP-1 drugs are designed to mimic a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels and suppress appetite. Originally approved for treating type 2 diabetes, the FDA expanded the approval in 2021 to include Wegovy, a GLP-1 treatment aimed at weight loss. Since then, both Novo Nordisk, which manufactures Ozempic, and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in producing enough of these medications to satisfy the increasing demand.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed medical records of 45 million Americans who visited doctors between 2011 and 2023. They found that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023. Conversely, the portion of new users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
“This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, indicating a significant shift in public health,” said Yee Hui Yeo, a co-first author of the study. “However, it also raises concerns about potential medication shortages and the necessity to ensure that diabetes patients retain access to these treatments.”
The study’s findings stem from data provided by healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not reflect a national average.
GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, with users reportedly losing up to 26% of their body weight. This surge in sales has positioned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk as two of the world’s most valuable pharmaceutical companies. However, the increased demand has complicated the process for some patients to fill their prescriptions. Both companies have invested significantly in boosting production.
Morgan Stanley analysts forecast that the global market for these drugs will reach $105 billion by 2030, with an expected adoption rate of around 31.5 million individuals in the U.S. by 2035, representing about 9% of the population.