A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals an increasing trend of GLP-1 drug prescriptions for individuals without diabetes while prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining. The research raises concerns about potential medication shortages in the future.
GLP-1 drugs are designed to replicate a hormone that controls blood sugar levels and curbs appetite. Initially approved for type 2 diabetes treatment, the FDA authorized Wegovy, a GLP-1 treatment, for weight loss in 2021.
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, the main producers of GLP-1 medications such as Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, are facing challenges in keeping up with the surging demand.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited healthcare providers between 2011 and 2023. Their findings indicate a decrease in new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023, while the proportion of users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, commented that this data signals a public health shift as more healthcare providers recognize the benefits of these medications for treating obesity. However, it also highlights the importance of ensuring that diabetes patients retain access to these treatments amid rising demand.
Using data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, the study noted that GLP-1 drugs are becoming increasingly favored for their appetite-suppressing effects, aiding users in achieving weight loss of up to 26% of their body weight.
The soaring sales of these medications have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become some of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. Nonetheless, the high demand has made it difficult for some patients to fill their prescriptions. Both companies are investing 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 an estimated 31.5 million users in the U.S. by 2035, accounting for nearly 9% of the population.