The news: Eli Lilly is already manufacturing its not-yet-approved GLP-1 pill for weight loss in anticipation of strong global demand next year. Lilly CEO David Ricks said it has made “billions of doses” of orforglipron and called it a “GLP-1 for all,” per Bloomberg.

Why it matters: Adoption rates of GLP-1s for weight loss are on the rise, and higher uptake is already having an effect on US obesity rates, per the Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index report released Tuesday.

• 12.4% of US adults report taking GLP-1 specifically for weight loss, up from 5.8% in February 2024.
• 15.2% of women and 9.7% of men are taking the drugs.
• Among people ages 50 to 64 (the biggest GLP-1 users at 17%), the obesity rate dropped 5 percentage points to 42.8% since Q1 2024.
• For the next largest user group, ages 40 to 49 (16.2% taking GLP-1s for weight loss), the obesity rate dropped 4.3 percentage points to 43.3%.
• The obesity rate for US adults declined to 37% in 2025, down from a peak of 39.9% in 2022, per Gallup’s analysis.

Lilly learned its lesson about the high demand for GLP-1s after its first injectable launch, and is now positioning its supply chain and marketing ahead of the next pill wave. CEO Ricks said Lilly plans to launch two more obesity drugs in the next two years and is considering launching one new drug per year for the next five to six years. He likened the strategy to the way “we think about upgrading our phones,” per Bloomberg. Analysts expect the introduction of obesity pills to broaden access to the medication and predict all obesity medication sales to reach $95 billion by 2030.

What it means for pharma brands: Lilly is an early mover in the GLP-1 pill market, but the next-generation obesity drug market is still in the early stages. More than 170 drugs are in development, including 27 oral formulations, per STAT’s obesity drug tracker.

To stand out, drugmakers need to focus on value-priced messaging and creating accessible weight loss drug brands. Marketing campaigns need to address key groups like middle-aged or older women with lifestyle, body confidence, and community-driven messaging. Expand digital tools, or integrate with wellness apps, to offer personalized coaching, nutrition advice, and fitness programs—building weight loss prescription drug brands that feel more like lifestyle health and wellness treatments.

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