A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a growing trend of GLP-1 drug prescriptions among individuals without diabetes, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining. The researchers warn that this shift could lead to potential shortages of these treatments.
GLP-1 drugs function by replicating a hormone that manages blood sugar levels and curbs appetite. Originally approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, the FDA extended approval in 2021 for Wegovy as a weight loss treatment.
Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are currently facing challenges in ramping up production to satisfy the increasing demand for GLP-1 medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
The study, conducted by researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions, analyzed medical records from 45 million Americans who visited doctors between 2011 and 2023. The findings showed a decline in the proportion of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023. Conversely, the percentage of new users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, a co-first author of the study, noted that this information indicates a growing recognition among healthcare providers of the benefits of GLP-1 medications for obesity treatment, marking a significant public health shift. However, he expressed concerns over ensuring that diabetes patients continue to receive access to these essential treatments.
The study utilized data from healthcare software firm TriNetX, which may not represent the national landscape accurately.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, with some users experiencing weight loss of up to 26% of their body weight.
The surge in sales of these medications has elevated Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become leading pharmaceutical companies globally. However, the heightened demand has led to difficulties for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. Both companies have invested billions to increase their production capacities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, forecasting that around 31.5 million people in the U.S. will adopt these medications by 2035, representing approximately 9% of the population.