The number of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications is increasing, while new prescriptions for diabetes patients are declining, according to a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Researchers express concern that this trend may lead to potential shortages of these treatments. GLP-1 drugs function by mimicking a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels and curtail appetite. Initially approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, the FDA authorized the weight loss medication Wegovy, a GLP-1 treatment, in 2021.
Following this approval, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in producing sufficient quantities of GLP-1 drugs, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, to meet increasing demand.
A team from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined the medical records of 45 million Americans who had at least one doctor visit from 2011 to 2023. They discovered 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 share of users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
“This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the effectiveness of these medications for obesity treatment, indicating a significant public health shift,” stated Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study. “However, this trend also raises concerns about possible medication shortages and highlights the importance of ensuring continued access for diabetes patients.”
The study analyzed data from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, although this data may not be representative of the entire nation.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing properties, with users reportedly losing up to 26% of their body weight.
The soaring sales of these medications have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become the world’s most valuable pharmaceutical companies. Nonetheless, high demand has complicated prescription fulfillment for some patients. Both companies have invested billions to enhance their production capacities.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an estimation that around 31.5 million people in the U.S.—about 9% of the population—will adopt these treatments by 2035.