A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a notable increase in the number of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are on the decline.
The researchers caution that this trend could potentially lead to shortages of these treatments, which are designed to mimic a hormone that regulates blood sugar and curbs appetite. Originally approved for the management of type 2 diabetes, the FDA expanded its endorsement in 2021 to include the GLP-1 medication Wegovy for weight loss.
Companies like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are currently facing challenges in producing enough GLP-1 drugs, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, to fulfill the growing demand.
The study conducted by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions reviewed the medical histories of 45 million Americans who had at least one doctor’s appointment between 2011 and 2023. Findings indicate that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023. Conversely, the proportion of those without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 drugs surged from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, noted that the data signifies a shift among healthcare providers in recognizing the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment. However, this shift also raises concerns about ensuring that diabetes patients maintain access to these essential treatments.
The research utilized data from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, which may not fully represent national trends.
In recent years, GLP-1 medications have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, with users achieving weight loss of up to 26%.
The soaring sales of these drugs have turned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk into two of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. Despite their significant investments to boost production, the high demand has led to challenges for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions.
Analysts at Morgan Stanley project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an expectation that approximately 31.5 million individuals in the U.S.—around 9% of the population—will adopt these treatments by 2035.