A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that the proportion of individuals without diabetes being prescribed GLP-1 medications is increasing, while new prescriptions for diabetic patients are declining. This trend raises concerns regarding potential shortages of these treatments.
GLP-1 drugs are designed to mimic a hormone that controls blood sugar levels and decreases appetite. Originally approved for treating type 2 diabetes, the FDA authorized the use of Wegovy, a GLP-1 medication, for weight loss in 2021.
Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are currently facing challenges in producing adequate supplies of GLP-1 drugs, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, to satisfy the growing demand.
Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions examined medical records of 45 million Americans who visited healthcare facilities between 2011 and 2023. Their findings show that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes decreased from nearly 90% to more than 70% between 2019 and 2023. Concurrently, the share of new users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
Co-first author of the study, Yee Hui Yeo, 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, it also raises concerns about potential medication shortages and the necessity to ensure continued access for diabetes patients.”
The study utilized data from the healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not provide a nationally representative sample.
GLP-1 drugs have surged in popularity, known for their appetite-suppressing effects and the ability to help users lose as much as 26% of their body weight.
The soaring sales of these medications have propelled Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to become the most valuable pharmaceutical companies globally. However, the high demand has resulted in difficulties for some patients attempting to fill prescriptions. In response, both companies have invested billions to increase production of these drugs.
Morgan Stanley analysts project that the global market for GLP-1 medications could reach $105 billion by 2030. They also predict that adoption among Americans will grow to approximately 31.5 million people, about 9% of the population, by 2035.