A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a growing trend of GLP-1 drug prescriptions among individuals without diabetes, while prescriptions for those with diabetes are declining. Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and other institutions analyzed the medical records of 45 million Americans over a period from 2011 to 2023. They found that the percentage of new GLP-1 users with type 2 diabetes dropped from nearly 90% to over 70% between 2019 and 2023. Conversely, the share of new users without diabetes increased from 10% to 25%.
GLP-1 medications, originally approved for type 2 diabetes management, work by mimicking a hormone that regulates blood sugar and suppresses appetite. In 2021, the FDA expanded the approval of the GLP-1 drug Wegovy for weight loss. As a result, pharmaceutical companies such as Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are facing challenges in keeping up with the rising demand for these medications, which include Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
Yee Hui Yeo, co-first author of the study, indicated that the increasing recognition of these medications’ benefits for obesity treatment signifies a significant shift in public health perspectives. However, there are concerns about potential medication shortages, emphasizing the importance of ensuring continued access for patients with diabetes.
The soaring popularity of GLP-1 drugs, known for their appetite-suppressing effects and ability to facilitate weight loss of up to 26% of body weight, has significantly boosted the market value of Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. Both companies have invested billions to enhance production capabilities to meet the soaring demand. Analysts at Morgan Stanley predict that the global market for these drugs could reach $105 billion by 2030, with an estimated 31.5 million people in the U.S. using them by 2035, roughly 9% of the population.