One in eight U.S. adults now takes a GLP-1, and prescriptions among non-diabetics rose 700% since 2019. The market is projected to reach $200 billion by 2030, driving manufacturing investments and consumer food shifts.
The FDA moved to exclude semaglutide, tirzepatide and liraglutide from its 503B compounding list. Eli Lilly won U.S. approval for its oral pill Foundayo, and Novo Nordisk sued Lilly over allegedly misleading weight-loss ads.
Amgen shares have fallen 12.6% in three months despite relatively solid Q1 results, while Novo Nordisk maintains a 54.6% global GLP-1 market share. Both companies face pipeline competition and pricing pressures.
Trump secured agreements with 16 pharmaceutical companies tied to TrumpRx.gov, including most-favoured-nation pricing and direct-to-patient discounts. Several companies disclosed price cuts for obesity, diabetes, insulin and other medicines.
GLP-1 drugs are still being studied for Alzheimer’s and addiction after semaglutide failed to slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s. A 2025 abstract reported semaglutide slowed cognitive impairment in an Alzheimer’s model.
The FDA has announced plans to crack down on active pharmaceutical ingredients used in compounded GLP-1 drugs and warned about the risks of these products. The agency has cited counterfeit products, non-FDA-approved ingredients and more than 1,000 adverse event reports tied to compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide.
Doctors said Americans starting obesity treatment are showing interest in oral GLP-1 drugs because of lower cost and convenience. Novo’s oral Wegovy and Lilly’s Foundayo are priced below injectable options.
President Trump imposes 100% tariffs on imported branded drugs from companies refusing price cuts or U.S. production moves. Sixteen major pharmaceutical firms have secured tariff exemptions by agreeing to align U.S. prices with other developed nations and invest in domestic manufacturing. The policy aims to reduce prescription drug costs and rebuild domestic pharmaceutical production capacity.
The FDA has approved Eli Lilly's GLP-1 weight loss pill Foundayo, which will compete with Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill. Foundayo will be available through LillyDirect and pharmacies, with prices ranging from $25 with insurance to $149-$349 for cash payers. The approval sets up a new battle in the oral GLP-1 market between the two pharmaceutical giants.
