The proportion of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications is increasing, even as new prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining, according to a recent study released in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Novo Nordisk’s oral version of Ozempic has been found to lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes. However, researchers are cautioning that the growing trend of prescribing these drugs to non-diabetic individuals could lead to potential shortages.
GLP-1 medications function by mimicking a hormone that aids in regulating blood sugar and suppressing appetite. Initially authorized for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, the FDA green-lighted Wegovy, a GLP-1 treatment, for weight management in 2021.
Since this approval, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in producing enough GLP-1 medications—such as Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic—to keep pace with the increasing demand.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions reviewed the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited a doctor at least once between 2011 and 2023. Their findings indicated that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% by 2023. Conversely, the proportion of new users without diabetes climbed 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,” commented Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study. “However, it raises concerns about potential medication shortages and the necessity to ensure that diabetes patients still have access to these treatments.”
The study leveraged data from TriNetX, a healthcare software firm, which may not fully represent the national landscape.
GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, enabling users to shed up to 26% of their body weight.
The soaring sales of these medications have positioned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk as two of the most valuable pharmaceutical firms globally. However, the surge in demand has made it challenging for some patients to fill their prescriptions. Both companies are investing billions to boost the production of these drugs.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for GLP-1 medications could reach $105 billion by 2030, projecting that approximately 31.5 million people in the U.S.—equating to about 9% of the population—will adopt these treatments by 2035.