A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a significant shift in the prescription patterns of GLP-1 drugs, which are typically used to treat diabetes. Despite their initial approval for this purpose, the proportion of new users with type 2 diabetes has declined from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023. In contrast, the share of new users without diabetes has increased from 10% to 25% during the same period. Researchers express concern that this trend may contribute to potential shortages of these important medications.
GLP-1 drugs, which include popular treatments like Wegovy and Ozempic, are designed to mimic a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and suppress appetite. The Food and Drug Administration expanded their use in 2021 to include weight management, prompting greater demand.
The study, conducted by researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions, analyzed health records from 45 million Americans from 2011 to 2023. Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, noted that while healthcare providers increasingly recognize the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, it raises concerns about access to treatments for diabetes patients.
Both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are struggling to keep pace with the soaring demand for GLP-1 medications, which has significantly boosted their market value. Analysts from Morgan Stanley predict that the global market for these drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030 and that the adoption rate among the U.S. population could reach approximately 31.5 million people, or about 9%, by 2035.