A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a significant increase in the number of patients without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 drugs, while the initiation of prescriptions for those with diabetes is declining.
Researchers raised concerns over the potential for shortages of these treatments due to rising demands. GLP-1 medications, which mimic a hormone that regulates blood sugar and suppresses appetite, were initially approved for type 2 diabetes management. However, in 2021, the FDA expanded the approval of GLP-1 treatments, such as Wegovy, for weight loss.
Currently, pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are facing challenges in meeting the high demand for GLP-1 medications, including Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
The analysis conducted by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center researchers examined medical records of 45 million Americans who visited doctors between 2011 and 2023. The findings revealed that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023, while the proportion of new users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Co-first author Yee Hui Yeo noted, “This data suggests that more healthcare providers are seeing the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, which is a significant public health shift.” However, she warned of potential medication shortages that could affect diabetes patients’ access to these treatments.
Using data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not fully represent national trends, the study highlights the increasing popularity of GLP-1 drugs for their appetite-suppressing effects, contributing to weight loss of up to 26%.
The soaring sales of these medications have positioned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk among the most valuable pharmaceutical firms globally, yet the high demand poses difficulties for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. In response, both companies have invested billions to enhance production.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, with adoption estimated to involve about 31.5 million people in the U.S. by 2035, equating to around 9% of the population.