A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a rising trend in the number of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications, while new prescriptions for people with diabetes are declining. The study raises concerns about possible shortages of these treatments.
GLP-1 drugs, which are designed to mimic a hormone that regulates blood sugar and suppresses appetite, were initially developed for type 2 diabetes management. However, in 2021, the FDA approved Wegovy, a GLP-1 treatment, for weight loss purposes.
As demand for these medications increases, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are facing challenges in meeting production needs. The research, conducted by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions, analyzed medical records from 45 million Americans who visited doctors between 2011 and 2023. The findings indicate that the proportion of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% to over 70% from 2019 to 2023, while the number of new users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, a co-first author of the study, commented, “This data suggests that more healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of these medications for treating obesity, indicating a significant shift in public health.” However, she also emphasized concerns regarding medication shortages and the importance of ensuring diabetic patients maintain access to these treatments.
The study’s data was derived from the healthcare software company TriNetX, although it may not be fully representative on a national scale. In recent years, GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity for their appetite-suppressing effects, showing potential for weight loss of up to 26%.
The soaring sales of these medications have positioned Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk as some of the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally, but high demand has created challenges for patients trying to fill prescriptions. Both companies have invested billions to increase production capacity.
Morgan Stanley analysts predict that the global market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, with about 31.5 million people in the U.S. using these medications by 2035, which would account for approximately 9% of the population.