A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicates a rising trend in the prescription of GLP-1 drugs to individuals without diabetes, while new prescriptions for diabetes patients are declining. This shift raises concerns about potential shortages of essential treatments.
GLP-1 medications function by imitating a hormone that manages blood sugar levels and curbs appetite. Originally approved for type 2 diabetes treatment, the FDA expanded their use in 2021 to include weight loss with the approval of Wegovy.
Following this change, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have faced challenges in producing enough GLP-1 drugs, including Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, amid increased demand.
Researchers affiliated with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center reviewed the medical histories of 45 million Americans who visited a healthcare provider from 2011 to 2023. Their findings revealed that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% in 2019 to over 70% by 2023. Conversely, the share of new users without diabetes surged from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, remarked, “This data suggests that more healthcare providers are seeing the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, which is a significant public health shift. However, it also raises concerns about potential medication shortages and the need to ensure that patients with diabetes still have access to these treatments.”
The study utilized data from the healthcare software firm TriNetX, although it may not reflect national trends accurately.
In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity due to their appetite-suppressing effects, with users reportedly losing as much as 26% of their body weight.
The soaring sales of these medications have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to the forefront of global pharmaceutical companies. However, the increased demand has hindered some patients from obtaining their prescriptions. Both companies have committed billions to enhance their production capabilities.
Morgan Stanley analysts 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. likely to be using them, representing approximately 9% of the population, by 2035.