Prescription Trends Shift: Are GLP-1 Drugs Leaving Diabetics Behind?

A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates a growing trend in the prescription of GLP-1 drugs among individuals without diabetes, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining. The researchers express concern about potential shortages of these treatments.

GLP-1 drugs, designed to mimic a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and suppress appetite, were initially authorized for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, in 2021, the FDA expanded the approval to include the weight loss medication Wegovy.

Since this expansion, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in meeting the increasing demand for GLP-1 drugs, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.

The study analyzed medical records from 45 million Americans who visited healthcare providers between 2011 and 2023. Findings revealed that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes has fallen from nearly 90% to above 70% from 2019 to 2023. Conversely, the number of new users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.

Yee Hui Yeo, a co-first author of the study, commented on the implications of the data, noting a significant public health shift as more healthcare providers recognize the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment. However, he also highlighted the worries regarding access to these drugs for diabetic patients amid rising competition for prescriptions.

The study utilized data from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, which may not fully represent national trends.

In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity for their ability to suppress appetite and have demonstrated potential weight loss of up to 26% for users.

The soaring demand for these medications has led to Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk becoming two of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. However, the high demand has resulted in difficulties for many patients in obtaining their prescriptions. Both companies have invested heavily in boosting their production capacity for these drugs.

Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an estimation that around 31.5 million people in the U.S.—approximately 9% of the population—will adopt these medications by 2035.

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