A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that the percentage of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications is increasing, while new prescriptions for diabetic patients are declining. This trend raises alarms about the potential shortage of these treatments.
GLP-1 drugs mimic a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels and reduces appetite, initially gaining approval for type 2 diabetes treatment. Notably, the FDA authorized the weight-loss drug Wegovy, derived from GLP-1, in 2021.
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, the two main producers of GLP-1 medications such as Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, are currently facing challenges in meeting the rising demand.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center analyzed medical records from 45 million Americans who visited healthcare professionals between 2011 and 2023. Their findings indicate that the share of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes has dropped from nearly 90% to over 70% since 2019, while the segment of new users without diabetes surged from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, noted that the data suggests a growing recognition among healthcare providers of the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, but this also raises significant concerns regarding the accessibility of these drugs for diabetes patients.
The study relied on data from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, which may not accurately represent the national demographic.
GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity for their ability to suppress appetite, leading to potential weight loss of up to 26%. The soaring sales of these medications have positioned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk among the top pharmaceutical companies globally. However, increased demand has complicated prescription fulfillment for some patients, prompting both companies to invest heavily in boosting their production capacities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 medications could reach $105 billion by 2030. They also anticipate that around 31.5 million people in the U.S. will adopt these treatments by 2035, accounting for approximately 9% of the population.