In December, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (semaglutide) pill, marking the first oral GLP-1 therapy available for adult weight loss. Manufactured at Novo Nordisk’s North Carolina facilities, the medication is available in daily doses of 1.5 mg, 4 mg, 9 mg, and 25 mg.
According to a recent KFF survey, roughly one in eight adults reported using a GLP-1 drug either for weight loss or to manage chronic conditions.
The market potential for these therapies is significant, though projections are slightly tempered. Goldman Sachs estimates that global spending on anti-obesity drugs will reach $95 billion by 2030, down from an earlier forecast of $130 billion. “The new figure reflects trends influencing drug pricing, treatment duration, and patient population segmentation,” said Asad Haider, head of the healthcare business unit at Goldman Sachs Research.
Despite the revised estimate, the investment bank remains bullish on oral GLP-1 pills, predicting they could capture up to 25% of the anti-obesity medication market by the end of the decade.
A Growing Pipeline of Oral Weight-Loss Drugs
Other pharmaceutical companies are also entering the oral weight-loss space. Key competitors include Eli Lilly’s orforglipron, Structure Therapeutics’ aleniglipron, Merck and Hansoh Pharma’s HS-10535, and Roche’s CT-966.
Nicholas J. Webb, CEO of WebbLogic and a healthcare keynote speaker, highlighted patient preference as a key driver: “Patients have grown more accepting of injections when clinical benefits are clear, but acceptance does not equal preference. Given the choice, most people would choose a pill over a needle.”
Packaging as a Compliance and Experience Tool
Experts suggest that oral GLP-1 medications offer new opportunities in packaging design to improve patient adherence and experience. While bottles are cheaper, David DiVaccaro of the DiVaccaro Consulting Group notes that blister packs may be preferable for weight-loss drugs. “Compliance is always a challenge. Blister packs with markings for days of the week help patients stay on track,” he said.
Webb emphasized that timing is critical for oral medications like Wegovy, which must be taken on an empty stomach, usually 30 minutes before eating. “Packaging has historically been treated as a passive container rather than an active compliance tool. Thoughtful design can provide visual confirmation of doses and reinforce timing instructions,” he said. Calendar-style layouts, progressive reveal designs, and QR codes linking to smartphone reminders can all help patients adhere to their regimen.
Cost and Convenience Advantages
Switching from injectable GLP-1 therapies to oral pills also offers cost and logistical benefits. Injectable therapies often require complex manufacturing processes and cold-chain storage, whereas tablets can be produced more efficiently and stored at room temperature. Forbes reports that while injectable GLP-1 medications may cost $1,000 or more per month, the Wegovy pill’s direct-to-consumer prices start at $149 per month for the 1.5 mg and 4 mg starter doses, rising to $199 after April 15, with higher doses reaching $299 per month.
Creating a Holistic Patient Experience
Beyond pharmacology, experts stress the importance of supporting behavioral, psychological, and social aspects of weight loss. Webb suggests that packaging could be integrated into broader digital ecosystems, offering daily plans, reminders, and other tools that support healthy routines. “Patients now evaluate care across awareness, onboarding, daily use, support, and long-term outcomes. The physical package should serve as the first node in a broader ecosystem of patient support,” Webb explained.
He added that anticipatory design in packaging can enhance compliance and outcomes. “When patients feel supported, they stay compliant. When they stay compliant, outcomes improve. And when outcomes improve, trust follows.”
As oral GLP-1 therapies enter the market, pharmaceutical companies are not only transforming the logistics and economics of weight-loss treatment but also reimagining patient experience as a core component of care.
