A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a significant shift in the prescription trends of GLP-1 medications, with an increasing number of prescriptions being issued to individuals without diabetes, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining.
The authors of the study express concern that this trend might lead to potential shortages of these essential treatments.
GLP-1 drugs, which mimic a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and suppress appetite, were originally approved for treating type 2 diabetes. In 2021, the Food and Drug Administration approved Wegovy, a GLP-1 medication, for weight loss.
As demand surges, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are facing challenges in their production capacities for this class of drugs, which includes Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined medical records of 45 million Americans who visited a healthcare provider between 2011 and 2023. Their findings indicate that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes declined from nearly 90% to over 70% between 2019 and 2023. Conversely, the proportion of new users without type 2 diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, noted that this data reflects a growing recognition among healthcare providers of the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, marking a significant public health trend. However, she also emphasized the potential risk of medication shortages and the necessity to ensure diabetes patients retain access to these therapies.
The study utilized data from TriNetX, a healthcare software firm, although it may not fully represent national trends.
In recent years, GLP-1 medications have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, with users able to lose up to 26% of their body weight.
The skyrocketing sales of these drugs have positioned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk as two of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. However, the rising demand has resulted in difficulties for some patients in filling their prescriptions. In response, both companies have invested billions to enhance their production capacities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 medications could reach $105 billion by 2030, with expectations of nearly 31.5 million adopters in the U.S. by 2035, representing approximately 9% of the population.