A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a growing trend of GLP-1 drug prescriptions among individuals without diabetes, while prescriptions for those with diabetes are decreasing. This shift raises concerns about potential shortages of these treatments.
GLP-1 drugs are designed to mimic a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and suppress appetite. Initially approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, the Food and Drug Administration widened their use in 2021, approving Wegovy for weight loss.
Since this expansion, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in producing enough GLP-1 medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, to meet the rising demand.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined the medical records of 45 million Americans between 2011 and 2023. Their analysis indicated a decrease in new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023. Concurrently, the proportion of new users without diabetes grew from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, commented on the findings, noting the increasing recognition by healthcare providers of the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment. However, Yeo also highlighted the need to ensure that diabetes patients continue to have access to these essential drugs.
The study utilized data from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, which may not reflect the broader national landscape.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity for their appetite-suppressing effects, leading to significant weight loss for users, with some shedding up to 26% of their body weight.
The soaring sales of these medications have positioned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk as two of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. However, the surge in demand has resulted in difficulties for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. Both companies have made substantial investments to increase production of these drugs.
According to Morgan Stanley analysts, the global market for GLP-1 medications is expected to reach $105 billion by 2030, with projections indicating that the number of users in the U.S. may rise to approximately 31.5 million by 2035, representing about 9% of the population.