The prescription rates for GLP-1 drugs among individuals without diabetes are increasing, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are decreasing, according to a new study released on Tuesday in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
The authors of the study express concerns that this trend could lead to potential shortages of these medications. GLP-1 drugs function by imitating a hormone that helps manage blood sugar levels and curbs appetite, originally approved for treating type 2 diabetes. In 2021, the FDA expanded approval for the GLP-1 treatment Wegovy for weight loss purposes.
As demand for these medications rises, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are facing challenges in producing enough GLP-1 drugs, which include popular brands like Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined medical records of 45 million Americans who visited doctors between 2011 and 2023. They discovered that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023. In contrast, the percentage of new users without type 2 diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
“This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, marking a significant public health shift,” stated Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study. However, Yeo also highlighted concerns regarding potential medication shortages and the necessity to ensure patients with diabetes continue to have access to these treatments.
The research utilized data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not entirely represent national trends.
GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity for their appetite-suppressing effects, with research indicating they can help users lose up to 26% of their body weight. The soaring sales of these medications have elevated Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. Nevertheless, the high demand has complicated matters for some patients trying to fill their prescriptions. Both companies have committed billions in efforts to enhance production capacities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for these medications will reach $105 billion by 2030, with expectations that approximately 31.5 million people in the U.S., or about 9% of the population, will adopt these drugs by 2035.