A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals an alarming trend: the percentage of individuals without diabetes who are being prescribed GLP-1 medications is increasing, while prescriptions for diabetes patients are declining.
The authors of the study express concerns that this shift may lead to potential shortages of these vital treatments. GLP-1 drugs, which were originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, function by imitating a hormone that manages blood sugar levels and curbs appetite. In 2021, the FDA expanded the usage of these medications, approving Wegovy for weight management.
Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have been struggling to keep up with the rising demand for GLP-1 drugs, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and affiliated institutions examined medical records from 45 million Americans who visited healthcare providers between 2011 and 2023. Their findings indicated that the percentage of new GLP-1 users diagnosed with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023. Concurrently, the proportion of new users without type 2 diabetes surged from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, a co-first author of the study, noted that this trend shows healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, reflecting a significant public health change. However, she also warned about possible medication shortages and emphasized the importance of ensuring continued access for diabetes patients.
The data was sourced from healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not represent the entire nation.
GLP-1 medications have gained popularity for their weight loss effects, with some users reportedly shedding up to 26% of their body weight. The soaring sales of these drugs have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to the forefront of the pharmaceutical industry, making them among the most valuable companies globally. Nonetheless, this high demand has resulted in difficulties for some patients to obtain their prescriptions. Both companies have committed billions to enhance their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, with around 31.5 million people in the U.S. adopting these medications by 2035, amounting to approximately 9% of the population.