Weight-Loss Drugs: Booster Shots for the Market

Statistics indicate that hundreds of thousands of people around the world are turning to a group of drugs known as GLP‑1 analogs in order to shed unwanted pounds. In the USA, where the percentage of overweight and obese individuals is especially high, the obesity rate is going down instead of up for the first time in decades.

Pharmaceutical companies with GLP‑1 analogs in their portfolios are seeing a rise in sales. But the pharmaceutical industry is just one of the sectors affected by this boom. The food industry, too, will be adapting to a new group of consumers. After all, people who take GLP‑1 medications usually change their buying patterns at supermarkets. According to surveys, GLP‑1 users not only consume 20 to 35% fewer calories than before but are also turning to different food products. They are more apt to leave snacks, chips, soft drinks, and candy on the shelves while opting instead for fruit, vegetables, and high-protein items. 

Manufacturers could rethink their approach to this new target group. That would mean developing their own products or expanding their portfolios by means of strategic acquisitions to improve their access to weight- and health-conscious consumers.