A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a significant shift in the prescription patterns of GLP-1 medications. While the number of prescriptions for diabetic patients is decreasing, the use of these drugs among individuals without diabetes is on the rise. Researchers express concerns regarding potential shortages of these medications due to this growing trend.
GLP-1 drugs are designed to mimic a hormone that controls blood sugar levels and curbs appetite. Initially approved for managing type 2 diabetes, the FDA expanded their usage in 2021 to include weight loss, endorsing Wegovy as a treatment option.
Since the approval, pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have struggled to meet the increasing demand for GLP-1 medications, which include popular brands such as Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
The research team, comprising members from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other organizations, analyzed medical records of 45 million Americans who visited healthcare providers between 2011 and 2023. Their findings indicate that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes has dropped from nearly 90% to over 70% between 2019 and 2023. Conversely, the number of new users without diabetes surged from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, highlighted this shift as indicative of healthcare providers recognizing the potential benefits of these drugs for obesity treatment. However, she also pointed out the risks associated with medication shortages, stressing the importance of maintaining access for diabetic patients.
Data for the study was derived from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, which may not fully represent national trends.
GLP-1 medications have gained popularity in recent years for their appetite-suppressing effects, helping users achieve weight loss of up to 26%. The soaring sales of these drugs have catapulted Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to the forefront of the pharmaceutical industry, making them among the most valuable companies globally. Nevertheless, this high demand has created challenges for patients seeking to fill prescriptions. Both companies have committed billions to enhance production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, with approximately 31.5 million Americans, or about 9% of the population, expected to use these medications by 2035.