A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates that the number of people without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 drugs is increasing, while prescriptions for those with diabetes are decreasing. This trend raises concerns about potential shortages of these popular treatments.
GLP-1 drugs, which mimic hormones that regulate blood sugar and reduce appetite, were originally approved for type 2 diabetes treatment. However, in 2021, the FDA authorized Wegovy for weight loss, further expanding the use of these medications.
Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are currently facing challenges in meeting the rising demand for GLP-1 drugs, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed medical records from 45 million Americans who visited a doctor between 2011 and 2023. The study found that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% to over 70% between 2019 and 2023, while the proportion of new users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, a co-first author of the study, commented that the data suggests an increasing recognition among healthcare providers of the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, indicating a significant shift in public health. However, he cautioned about the potential for medication shortages and the necessity for diabetes patients to maintain access to these treatments.
The findings were based on data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not be representative of the entire national population.
GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, with users reportedly able to lose up to 26% of their body weight.
The surge in sales of these medications has significantly elevated Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk’s status among pharmaceutical companies globally, but the high demand has resulted in difficulties for some patients in filling prescriptions. To address this, both companies are making substantial investments to enhance their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for these drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, with expectations that about 31.5 million people in the U.S. will be using them by 2035, representing approximately 9% of the population.