Weight-Loss Drug Stocks Are Soaring. Why There’s More Room to Run.

The rise of diabetes and weight loss drugs like Ozempic is not only impacting pharmaceutical companies, but also retailers, makers of weight loss products, and other industries, with knock-on effects ranging from increased foot traffic in stores and changing consumer behavior to potential disruptions in the diet industry.

Eli Lilly could potentially generate $50 billion in annual sales from weight-loss drugs by 2030, positioning the pharmaceutical company as a major beneficiary in the obesity treatment market, according to J.P. Morgan.

Anti-obesity drugs developed by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have the potential to transform public health but could also disrupt industries such as food, fitness, and healthcare, affecting companies like Nestlé and McDonald's.

The introduction of weight-loss drugs like Wegovy could lead to a healthcare crisis, as the cost and demand for these medications may overwhelm insurers, employers, and government programs that purchase medications in the United States.