The number of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications is increasing, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining, as revealed by a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine on Tuesday.
Researchers have expressed concern that this trend could lead to potential shortages of these essential treatments. GLP-1 drugs function by mimicking a hormone involved in blood sugar regulation and appetite suppression. Initially approved for managing type 2 diabetes, the FDA expanded the approval of these treatments in 2021 to include weight loss, specifically noting the drug Wegovy.
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are currently facing challenges in meeting the growing demand for GLP-1 medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic. Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined medical records from 45 million Americans who visited a doctor between 2011 and 2023. Their 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 share of new users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
Co-first author of the study, Yee Hui Yeo, highlighted the significance of these findings, stating that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for treating obesity. However, Yeo also pointed out the implications for medication access for diabetes patients.
The data for this study was sourced from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, which may not reflect national trends comprehensively. In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained traction due to their appetite-suppressing effects, with users reportedly losing up to 26% of their body weight.
The soaring sales of these medications have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to the forefront of the pharmaceutical industry. Nonetheless, the increased demand has created difficulties for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. In response, both companies have committed substantial financial resources to enhance their production capabilities.
According to analysts at Morgan Stanley, the global market for GLP-1 drugs is projected to reach $105 billion by 2030, with an expected adoption rate among U.S. residents projected to be approximately 31.5 million by 2035, equating to about 9% of the population.