The percentage 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.
Researchers express concerns about potential shortages of GLP-1 drugs, which are designed to mimic a hormone that manages blood sugar levels and suppresses appetite. Initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes, the FDA granted approval in 2021 for the use of Wegovy, a GLP-1 treatment, for weight loss.
Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are currently facing challenges in meeting the rising demand for this drug class, which includes Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
The study, conducted by researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center among other institutions, analyzed the medical records of 45 million Americans who had at least one doctor’s visit between 2011 and 2023. Their findings showed a decrease in new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023, while the share of new users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, noted that the data indicates a growing recognition among healthcare providers of the benefits of these medications for addressing obesity, a significant shift in public health. However, this trend also raises alarms regarding the potential for medication shortages and ensuring that diabetes patients maintain access to these essential treatments.
Data for the study was sourced from the healthcare software firm TriNetX, which may not reflect a nationally representative sample.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their effectiveness in reducing appetite, with some users reportedly losing up to 26% of their body weight.
Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have become among the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally, driven by soaring sales of these drugs. However, the high demand has led to difficulties for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. Both companies are investing billions to enhance production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, with usage expected to rise to approximately 31.5 million people in the U.S. by 2035, representing about 9% of the population.