Few medicines in modern history have had as transformative an impact on both Wall Street and waistlines as GLP-1 receptor agonists. Branded widely as Wegovy and Mounjaro, these so-called “miracle” drugs are revolutionising the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes and, in the process, reshaping the global economy.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists work by mimicking gut hormones that regulate appetite and blood sugar. Wegovy, developed by Novo Nordisk, received U.S. approval for obesity in 2021. Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro followed in 2023. Since then, demand has surged, turning both drugs into cultural and financial phenomena.
Obesity is a key risk factor in many of the world’s leading causes of death, from heart disease to cancer. The promise of GLP-1s, experts say, extends well beyond weight loss. Research is exploring potential benefits for conditions ranging from psoriasis and asthma to chronic kidney disease, fatty liver disease, sleep apnea, PCOS, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
“The potential novel applications are unexpected and promising,” said Sophie Dix, head of medical affairs at MedExpress. She noted that GLP-1s could usher in “profound” changes for future drug development and job creation.
“In the U.S., a monthly supply of Wegovy or Mounjaro carries a list price equivalent to £845 to £1,050. Analysts estimate that if similar coverage were extended under the American Medicare program, GLP-1s could add around £37 billion in healthcare spending over the next decade.”
Yet analysts argue the long-term savings may outweigh initial costs. Obesity-related illnesses drag down productivity, shorten lifespans and increase healthcare burdens. Goldman Sachs estimates GLP-1s could add 0.4% to U.S. GDP by boosting worker productivity and lowering healthcare costs, assuming adoption reaches 30 million users.
“As of mid-2025, approximately 1.5 million people are currently using GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, representing roughly 2–3% of the adult population, according to the latest estimates.”
The economic ripple is even more striking in Denmark, where Novo Nordisk’s market capitalisation in 2024 briefly surpassed the entire GDP of its home country, underscoring how central GLP-1s have become to national fortunes.
Meanwhile, pharmaceutical competitors from Pfizer to AstraZeneca are racing to develop rival obesity treatments. “First-in-class is rarely best-in-class,” said Dix, predicting future drugs will improve on efficacy and tolerability while offering greater convenience.
One of the most visible knock-on effects of GLP-1 adoption has been on consumer behaviour, particularly food consumption. A 2024 Cornell University study found households with a GLP-1 user cut grocery spending by 5.3% within six months, with higher-income families reducing spending by as much as 8.2%.
Spending cuts were sharpest in processed snacks and bakery products, while increases in healthier items such as fruit and yoghurt were modest. “The pattern is less about switching to better foods and more about simply buying less food,” said Cornell’s Jura Liaukonyte, co-author of the study.
This shift is forcing food producers to adapt. Multinationals like Nestlé and Danone have already launched high-protein meals, smaller portion sizes and muscle-preserving products to cater to changing demand. Analysts warn that fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies face significant risks if consumer loyalty is undermined.
The implications extend beyond food. GLP-1s alter the brain’s reward system, and early evidence suggests benefits in treating addictions such as alcohol misuse, smoking and even gambling. While companies like Diageo, the maker of Johnnie Walker, say impacts on alcohol sales remain limited, they are monitoring developments closely.
Other sectors could benefit. Airlines may see lower fuel costs if passengers lose significant weight. Activewear brands and gyms may experience rising demand. Restaurants, meanwhile, are already reporting lower spending among GLP-1 users, translating into billions of dollars in reduced fast-food and casual dining sales.
For all their potential, GLP-1 drugs raise difficult social and ethical questions. Access remains uneven, with many public health systems limiting coverage to patients with severe obesity or related conditions. The majority of early adopters are wealthier patients paying out of pocket.
“We know that obesity is higher in lower-income areas, yet the rollout of these drugs is often slow and restrictive,” Dix said. She warned of a looming “two-tier society” in which only those who can afford the drugs reap their benefits.
While drugmakers are moving to lower prices amid political pressure and growing competition, affordability remains a barrier. Analysts caution that unequal access could deepen existing health and income divides.
“If rich people get a pharmaceutical which makes them skinny, inequality in terms of weight, already highly correlated with income and education, will intensify,” said Aljoscha Janssen, an economics professor at Singapore Management University. “That would have a negative impact on broader society.”
From reshaping consumer markets to boosting GDP, GLP-1 drugs are already influencing the global economy in unprecedented ways. Their future applications could prove even more disruptive not just for patients, but for industries ranging from food to travel.
Whether these drugs ultimately reduce health inequalities or reinforce them may depend less on their scientific potential and more on how policymakers and companies manage their rollout. For now, one thing is clear: GLP-1s have already sparked a new era of medicine and economic change.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/26/how-glp-1s-wegovy-zepbound-are-reshaping-the-economy.html
