No. of Recommendations: 3
GLP-1 drugs have become blockbusters for weight loss in addition to their standard indication for diabetes.
A large recent study shows that about 1 in 10 Americans are fat drunks, a combination which synergistically increases the risk of liver disease and liver-associated deaths.
Frankly, the amount of alcohol needed to be considered a heavy drinker would put me into the hospital in a week. [National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism definition (for men: ≥15 drinks per week or ≥5 drinks per day; for women: ≥8 drinks per week or ≥4 drinks per day).]
In a survey of roughly 45,000 U.S. adults representing more than 257 million people, 9% said they had obesity and drank heavily over the past month, while 3.8% said they had both obesity and met criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD) over the past year. AUD and obesity overlap was highest for men and women ages 26 to 34 (6.2% and 5.1%), people without insurance, and those on Medicaid.
Real-world data have shown lower AUD-related hospitalization rates for people on GLP-1 drugs, and the researchers pointed to early trial data showing these drugs can help people with AUD reduce their drinking.
medpagetoday.com
Study Warns of High-Risk Group for Fatal Liver Disease
Risky drinking and obesity 'contribute synergistically' to rising rates of liver disease, death
On the one hand, GLP-1 drugs are expensive and highly profitable for the manufacturers. On the other hand, the people who need them most often can’t afford them. Insurance coverage is spotty except for specific medical conditions, such as diabetes and active cardiovascular disease.
There is a lot of flux in the pricing and coverage of GLP-1 drugs that depends on what insurance (private, corporate, Medcaid, Medicare), where the person lives, what specific conditions are being treated.
The market for GLP-1 medications is dominated by two primary pharmaceutical giants, though several other companies manufacture older versions or are racing to launch new oral alternatives in 2026.
1. Novo Nordisk
This Danish company is currently the world leader in the GLP-1 space. They produce all medications containing semaglutide and liraglutide.
Ozempic (Injectable for Diabetes)
Wegovy (Injectable for Weight Loss)
Rybelsus (Oral tablet for Diabetes; a high-dose weight loss version was approved in late 2025)
Victoza & Saxenda (Daily injectables using the older liraglutide molecule)
2. Eli Lilly and Company
The chief competitor to Novo Nordisk, this American company produces medications containing tirzepatide and the newly approved orforglipron.
Mounjaro (Injectable for Diabetes)
Zepbound (Injectable for Weight Loss)
Trulicity (An older, once-weekly injectable for Diabetes)
Foundayo (A major 2026 release; the first oral “small molecule” GLP-1 for weight loss that doesn’t have strict food/water fasting requirements)
3. Other Major Manufacturers
While Novo and Lilly hold the newest “blockbuster” drugs, other companies maintain established GLP-1 therapies:
AstraZeneca: Produces Byetta and Bydureon BCise (exenatide).
Sanofi: Produces Adlyxin (lixisenatide) and the combo drug Soliqua.
Boehringer Ingelheim & Zealand Pharma: These companies are currently co-developing survodutide, which is expected to seek FDA approval later in 2026 or 2027.
4. Recent Industry Moves (2025–2026)
Roche: Following their acquisition of Carmot Therapeutics, they are fast-tracking CT-388, a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist similar to Mounjaro.
Pfizer: After some early setbacks, Pfizer pivoted in 2025 by acquiring Metsera to bolster its pipeline of oral weight-loss drugs, aiming to compete with Eli Lilly’s Foundayo.
Amgen: They are currently in Phase 3 trials for MariTide, a unique drug that may only require monthly or even quarterly injections, which would be a significant shift from the current weekly schedule.
The demand is tremendous and that doesn’t even count the one out of ten adults who are fat drunks and are at higher risk than most.
Who is going to pay for all this? There’s a lot of political pressure for the government to force third-party payments and also for the manufacturers to cut their prices.
Which company is going to benefit most? How will the participation of other companies, like CVS and Amazon, impact the profits of the manufacturers?
Yahoo Finance
How CVS And Amazon Chipped Away At Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk Stocks
Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk stocks took a header Tuesday on reports CVS Health opted out of covering GLP-1s through Medicare.
Yahoo Finance
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Find the latest Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) stock quote, history, news and other vital information to help you with your stock trading and investing.
Yahoo Finance
Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) Stock Price, News, Quote & History - Yahoo Finance
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Clearly there are both opportunities and risks for investors in this fast-moving space.
Wendy
