A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that the percentage of non-diabetic individuals being prescribed GLP-1 medications is increasing, while new prescriptions for individuals with diabetes are declining.
The study’s authors express concern that this trend may lead to shortages of these important treatments. GLP-1 drugs, which mimic a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and curbs appetite, were initially authorized for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, in 2021, the FDA expanded approval for the GLP-1 medication Wegovy for weight loss purposes.
As a result, pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are facing challenges in meeting the growing demand for GLP-1 medications, which include brands such as Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, along with other institutions, examined the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited a healthcare provider between 2011 and 2023. They found that the proportion of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023, while the share of new users without type 2 diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
“This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, indicating a significant public health shift,” stated Yee Hui Yeo, the co-first author of the study. “However, this trend raises concerns about potential shortages and the importance of ensuring that diabetes patients still have access to these treatments.”
The study relied on data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not fully represent national trends.
In recent years, GLP-1 medications have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, enabling users to potentially lose up to 26% of their body weight.
The soaring sales of these drugs have made Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk among the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. However, the increased demand has resulted in difficulties for some patients in getting their prescriptions filled. Both companies have invested significant resources to enhance their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an estimated 31.5 million Americans, or about 9% of the population, expected to adopt these treatments by 2035.