A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a significant shift in the prescription patterns of GLP-1 medications. The data indicates that the percentage of people without diabetes receiving prescriptions for GLP-1 drugs is increasing, while the number of prescriptions for individuals with diabetes is declining.
This trend raises concerns about potential shortages of these essential treatments, as healthcare providers are increasingly recognizing the benefits of these medications for obesity management. GLP-1 drugs, which mimic a hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar and curbing appetite, were originally approved for treating type 2 diabetes. However, in 2021, the FDA expanded the approval to include Wegovy for weight loss.
Manufacturers, including Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, are struggling to keep pace with the growing demand for GLP-1 medications such as Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic. Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center analyzed medical records of 45 million Americans from 2011 to 2023 and found that the proportion of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to over 70%. Conversely, the share of new users without diabetes rose from 10% to 25%.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, noted that while the data reflects a positive public health trend towards obesity treatment, it simultaneously raises alarms about ensuring sufficient access to medications for diabetes patients.
The study’s data was derived from the healthcare software company TriNetX, which may not fully represent national trends. GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity for their ability to suppress appetite, with users reportedly losing up to 26% of their body weight.
As a result of soaring sales, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have become two of the world’s most valuable pharmaceutical companies. However, this high demand has led to difficulties for some patients in obtaining prescriptions. Both companies are investing heavily to increase the production of these vital medications.
Morgan Stanley forecasts that the global market for GLP-1 drugs will reach $105 billion by 2030, with an anticipated adoption rate of about 31.5 million people in the U.S., or roughly 9% of the population, by 2035.