A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a significant shift in the prescription patterns of GLP-1 drugs, with an increasing number of prescriptions being issued to individuals without diabetes while those for diabetic patients are declining.
The study highlights concerns regarding potential shortages of these medications. GLP-1 drugs function by mimicking hormones that regulate blood sugar levels and curb appetite. Initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes, the use of the GLP-1 treatment Wegovy for weight loss was authorized by the Food and Drug Administration in 2021.
Since the approval, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in producing sufficient quantities of GLP-1 medications, which include popular options like Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, to satisfy the rising demand.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, along with other institutions, examined the medical records of 45 million Americans who had at least one doctor’s visit from 2011 to 2023. They reported that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023, while the proportion of new users without diabetes climbed from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, noted that this trend indicates a growing recognition among healthcare providers about the potential benefits of these medications for obesity treatment. However, it also raises serious concerns regarding the accessibility of these treatments for diabetes patients.
The analysis utilized data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not represent the entire U.S. population.
Over recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, leading to weight loss of up to 26%. The soaring demand has significantly increased the market value of Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, making them among the world’s most valuable pharmaceutical companies. However, some patients are now experiencing difficulties in obtaining their prescriptions. In response, both companies have invested heavily to boost their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030 and estimate that by 2035, approximately 31.5 million individuals in the U.S., or about 9% of the population, will be using these medications.