A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates a growing trend in the prescription of GLP-1 medications to individuals without diabetes, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining. This shift raises concerns about possible shortages as healthcare providers begin to recognize the value of these treatments for obesity management.
GLP-1 medications, which include popular drugs such as Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro, initially received approval for treating type 2 diabetes. However, in 2021, the FDA expanded their use to assist in weight loss, leading to a surge in demand. Both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are facing challenges in meeting this heightened demand due to production limits.
The study conducted by researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and others examined medical records of 45 million Americans from 2011 to 2023. Findings revealed that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes declined from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023. Conversely, patients without diabetes who received GLP-1 prescriptions increased from 10% to 25% during the same timeframe.
Yee Hui Yeo, a co-first author of the study, noted that this transition reflects a significant public health development, as more providers acknowledge the benefits of GLP-1 drugs in treating obesity. Yet, the research also highlights the critical need to ensure access for diabetes patients who rely on these medications.
The study’s data, sourced from healthcare software firm TriNetX, may not reflect national trends comprehensively. Nonetheless, as appetite-suppressing GLP-1 drugs gain popularity, the pharmaceutical landscape is changing significantly. Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for these drugs could soar to $105 billion by 2030, with about 31.5 million Americans, approximately 9% of the population, likely to adopt these treatments by 2035.
This evolution in prescribing patterns illustrates increasing awareness of obesity as a public health concern, suggesting a potential for better health outcomes for many individuals. As pharmaceutical companies intensify their efforts to boost production, there is hope that all patients, whether diabetic or not, will ultimately gain access to the medications they need.