A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates an increasing proportion of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 drugs, while new prescriptions for individuals with diabetes are declining. The study highlights concerns over potential shortages of these treatments as they gain popularity.
GLP-1 medications simulate a hormone that manages blood sugar levels and diminishes appetite. Initially intended for treating type 2 diabetes, Wegovy, a GLP-1 treatment, received FDA approval for weight loss in 2021.
Since that approval, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in producing sufficient quantities of GLP-1 drugs, including Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, to satisfy increasing demand.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined medical records of 45 million Americans who visited doctors between 2011 and 2023. Their findings revealed a decline in the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes from nearly 90% to over 70% between 2019 and 2023, while the percentage of new users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
“This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, reflecting a significant public health shift,” stated Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study. “However, it also raises concerns about medication shortages and ensuring continued access for diabetes patients.”
The study utilized data from the healthcare software firm TriNetX, which may lack national representativeness.
In recent years, GLP-1 medications have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, demonstrating potential weight loss of up to 26% for users.
The surge in sales has propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become the most valuable pharmaceutical firms globally, yet this high demand has complicated prescriptions for some patients. Both companies have invested heavily to enhance production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for these drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an expected adoption of around 31.5 million users in the U.S. by 2035, accounting for about 9% of the population.