A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a notable trend in the prescription of GLP-1 drugs. The research indicates that the proportion of individuals without diabetes receiving these medications is increasing, while new prescriptions for diabetes patients are on the decline.
GLP-1 drugs are designed to mimic a hormone that plays a crucial role in blood sugar regulation and appetite suppression. Initially approved for type 2 diabetes treatment, the FDA extended the use of GLP-1 medication Wegovy for weight loss in 2021. Consequently, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in producing sufficient amounts of GLP-1 drugs, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, to satisfy the escalating demand.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other organizations analyzed data from 45 million Americans who had at least one doctor’s visit between 2011 and 2023. They discovered that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023, while the share of new users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, a co-first author of the study, noted that this trend reflects a growing recognition among healthcare providers of the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment. However, Yeo also expressed concern about potential shortages and the need to ensure that diabetes patients continue to have access to these vital treatments.
The research utilized data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, which may lack national representation. Over the last few years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, enabling users to lose up to 26% of their body weight.
The soaring sales of these medications have positioned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk as some of the world’s most valuable pharmaceutical companies. However, the surge in demand has resulted in difficulty for some patients in accessing their prescriptions. In response to this demand, both companies have committed billions to increase their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an expected adoption of about 31.5 million users in the U.S. by 2035, representing approximately 9% of the population.