A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that the proportion of people without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications is on the rise, while new prescriptions for those with diabetes have declined. This shift raises concerns among researchers about potential shortages of these treatments.
GLP-1 drugs, which include medications like Wegovy and Ozempic, function by imitating a hormone that helps control blood sugar levels and reduce appetite. Initially approved for type 2 diabetes management, the FDA expanded the use of Wegovy for weight loss in 2021, contributing to a surge in demand for GLP-1 medications.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined medical records of 45 million Americans who saw a doctor between 2011 and 2023. They found that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023. Conversely, the percentage of new GLP-1 users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, a co-first author of the study, noted that this trend suggests healthcare providers are increasingly recognizing the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, signifying a significant public health shift. However, it also raises alarms about ensuring diabetic patients continue to have access to these vital treatments.
While the study utilized data from TriNetX, a healthcare software company, it may not represent the national picture fully. In recent years, GLP-1 medications have gained popularity for their appetite-suppressing effects and have helped users lose as much as 26% of their body weight.
The sharp increase in sales has positioned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk among the world’s most valuable pharmaceutical companies, although the soaring demand has created challenges for some patients in securing their prescriptions. Both companies are investing billions to enhance their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could hit $105 billion by 2030, with an estimated 31.5 million people in the U.S., roughly 9% of the population, expected to adopt these medications by 2035.