A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a growing trend in the prescription of GLP-1 medications to individuals without diabetes, while prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining.
The study indicates this shift may lead to concerns regarding potential shortages of these important treatments. GLP-1 medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, imitate a hormone that helps manage blood sugar levels and decrease appetite. Originally approved for treating type 2 diabetes, the FDA expanded the use of GLP-1 treatments in 2021 to include weight loss options.
Research conducted by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited doctors between 2011 and 2023. The findings show that the proportion of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023, while the percentage of new users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Co-first author Yee Hui Yeo noted that this data reflects a significant public health shift as more healthcare providers recognize the benefits of these medications in treating obesity. However, this trend raises concerns about ensuring that patients with diabetes continue to have access to these essential treatments.
The study utilized data from healthcare software firm TriNetX, which may not fully represent national trends. Over recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects and potential for users to lose up to 26% of their body weight.
The surge in demand for these medications has positioned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk as among the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. Nonetheless, high demand has made it challenging for some patients to obtain their prescriptions. Both companies have invested significantly to increase production capacity.
Analysts at Morgan Stanley project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an estimated 31.5 million people in the U.S. adopting these treatments by 2035, equating to roughly 9% of the population.