Strong Outlook for Obesity Drugs
January 14, 2026
“2026 is the year of obesity pills,” CNBC declares, explaining that pills may be more convenient and sometimes cheaper than the injectable versions of GLP-1 drugs now available. In Issues, Laura A. Schmidt and Luc L. Hagenaars suggest that expanded use of this new class of drugs could hasten changes in government policies and food industry practices aimed at curbing obesity. Widespread use of the drugs could lead companies to formulate healthier products, for example, while also encouraging adoption of regulations, warning labels, and taxes to lower sales and consumption of ultra-processed commercial food products widely linked to obesity.