The number of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications is increasing, even as new prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining, according to a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Researchers have expressed concern over this trend, which may lead to shortages of these important treatments.
GLP-1 drugs function by imitating a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and curb appetite. Initially approved for type 2 diabetes treatment, the FDA expanded its approval in 2021 to include Wegovy for weight loss purposes.
Since then, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in producing sufficient quantities of GLP-1 drugs, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, in order to satisfy growing demand.
A team from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions reviewed the medical records of 45 million Americans who visited healthcare providers from 2011 to 2023. They observed a decline in the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes from almost 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023. Concurrently, the share of new users without type 2 diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
“This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, indicating a notable public health shift,” stated Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study. “However, it also raises concerns about potential medication shortages and emphasizes the importance of ensuring continued access for diabetes patients.”
The findings were based on data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, which might not be representative on a national scale.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, allowing users to lose up to 26% of their body weight.
The soaring sales of these medications have elevated Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to the status of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies worldwide. However, the increased demand has resulted in difficulties for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. Both companies have invested billions to enhance their production capabilities for these drugs.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for GLP-1 medications will reach $105 billion by 2030, expecting about 31.5 million people in the U.S., roughly 9% of the population, to adopt these drugs by 2035.