The number of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 drugs is increasing, while new prescriptions for people with diabetes are decreasing, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine on Tuesday.
A new study highlights the growing trend of GLP-1 drug prescriptions among non-diabetic individuals, particularly for weight loss, at the same time new prescriptions for diabetic patients are declining. Researchers have raised concerns that this could lead to potential shortages of these medications.
GLP-1 drugs mimic a hormone that regulates blood sugar and reduces appetite, and were initially approved for treating type 2 diabetes. However, since the FDA approved the GLP-1 treatment Wegovy for weight loss in 2021, demand for these medications has surged. Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, manufacturers of these drugs, are struggling to meet the increased demand.
The study, conducted by researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions, analyzed data from 45 million Americans who visited the doctor at least once between 2011 and 2023. They discovered that the proportion of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023. During the same period, the share of new users without type 2 diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
“This data suggests that more healthcare providers recognize the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, marking a significant public health shift,” stated Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study. “However, it also highlights the need to ensure patients with diabetes maintain access to these treatments amidst rising demand.”
The data was sourced from healthcare software company TriNetX and may not represent national trends accurately.
GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity in recent years for their appetite-suppressing effects, helping users lose up to 26% of their body weight. The booming sales of these drugs have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk into becoming some of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. Nonetheless, this high demand has led to difficulties for some patients in filling their prescriptions.
Both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have invested billions of dollars into scaling up production to meet the growing demand. Analysts at Morgan Stanley predict that the global market for these drugs will reach $105 billion by 2030. The investment bank also projects that around 31.5 million people in the U.S., approximately 9% of the population, will be using these drugs by 2035.