A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that the number of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications is rising, even as new prescriptions for those with diabetes decline. The authors of the study express concern about possible shortages of these essential treatments.
GLP-1 drugs, designed to mimic a hormone that manages blood sugar and curbs appetite, were originally approved for type 2 diabetes management. However, in 2021, the FDA expanded the approval for Wegovy, a GLP-1 treatment, to include weight loss.
Since that shift, pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have found it increasingly challenging to produce adequate supplies of GLP-1 drugs, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, to keep pace with growing demand.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, among other institutions, examined medical records from 45 million Americans who had at least one doctor visit 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. Conversely, the share of new users without type 2 diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Co-first author Yee Hui Yeo stated, “This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for obesity treatment, indicating a significant public health change. However, it raises concerns about potential medication shortages and the necessity to ensure that diabetic patients continue to have access to these treatments.”
The study utilized data from the healthcare software firm TriNetX, which may not represent the national demographics accurately.
GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity in recent years due to their appetite-suppressing effects and the potential for users to lose up to 26% of their body weight.
The soaring sales of these medications have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become two of the world’s most valuable pharmaceutical companies. However, the heightened demand has created difficulties for some patients in obtaining their prescriptions. In response, both firms have invested billions to increase the production of these drugs.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for GLP-1 medications could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an estimated 31.5 million people, or about 9% of the U.S. population, expected to adopt these treatments by 2035.