Key Takeaways:
- The American Medical Association reports that spending on GLP-1s rose by more than 500%, from 2018 to 2023.
- The growing preference for self-administration is significantly boosting the market.
- It is reported that overall household food spending has dropped by 6-11%.
There’s likely not a day that goes by that you won’t hear something about a GLP-1 drug via a television commercial, a celebrity getting slammed on social media, or even brought up by a close friend over coffee. The use of the drug is exploding for weight loss (and diabetes), and several industries are noticing this shift.
The American Medical Association reports that from 2018 to 2023, spending on GLP-1s rose by more than 500%, from $13.7 billion to $71.7 billion, with the amounts being adjusted to 2023 dollars. This intense shift to biologics lays the groundwork for new opportunities for innovation in both drug formula, device development, and cold chain logistics.
Further, the global self-injection devices market was valued at $22.79 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a 10.31% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. This growth is being driven by rising demand for self-administration, increasing rates of hormonal diseases and cancer, lower treatment costs, wider access to affordable devices, and ongoing technological advancements.
Of course, the growing burden of chronic conditions such as diabetes is a key factor—537 million people worldwide were living with diabetes in 2021 (according to the International Diabetes Federation), highlighting the need for products like insulin autoinjectors.
The growing preference for self-administration is significantly boosting the market. Many patients now prefer to manage their healthcare at home, particularly for chronic conditions such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. This shift toward self-administration is driven by several factors, including increased convenience, greater control over treatment schedules, and the ability to avoid frequent trips to healthcare facilities.
So, as the market for GLP-1s and the preference for self-administration grow, industries outside of healthcare are feeling the shift. Consumer behavior is changing, especially when it comes to purchasing food. In a recent live LinkedIn event, TC Transcontinental Packaging addressed the topic of GLP-1s and how the rise in drug use is impacting consumer appetite, spend, and as such, packaging sizes.
Diana Courtepatte, Director of Marketing, TC Transcontinental Packaging, spoke with Dr. Tiffany Dzugan, ND, Healing Roots Chiropractic and Wellness Centre, Stephanie Mattucci, CFS - Principal Strategist, Food Science, Mintel, and Tim Kieny, VP of Sales & Marketing, TC Transcontinental Packaging. The live session was titled, “Rethinking Food in the GLP-1 Era: How appetites, spend, and pack sizes are shifting, and what brands should do now.”
How GLP-1 is changing consumer behavior
As laid out above, GLP-1s are a huge force in the pharmaceutical industry. TC Transcontinental Packaging reports that 45% of U.S. adults are using, have used, or have expressed interest in GLP-1s. And as such, this use is changing how Americans eat and shop. Most notably, the company reports that overall household food spending has dropped by 6-11%.
“We are officially in the GLP-1 era,” says Stephanie Mattucci, CFS, Principal Strategist, Food Science at Mintel. “Obesity rates are leveling off and are dipping for the first time in over a decade, and weight loss medication could be part of that reason.”
Mintel data shows that GLP-1 use is climbing fast, with 18% of consumers using them in 2025, up from 12% in 2024. And industry experts like Mattucci predict that more people will jump on board.
“Advancements with pill versions, generics on the horizon, better access, lower cost…. more growth is inevitable,” says Mattucci.
While attention in the media is on the weight loss side of the drug, GLP-1s remain an important drug for diabetes treatment. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) has added GLP-1s to the list of critical medicines for diabetes treatment.
While 18% of consumers using a GLP-1 may seem low, Mattucci points out that 82% of Americans are managing their weight in some way, so food labeling and packaging that speaks to this trend is a must. Early studies reveal that GLP-1 users spend less on food, especially indulgent items like potato chips and sweets. Instead, the industry is seeing an increase in demand for nutrient-rich foods, like fruit, vegetables, and high-protein categories.
As Dr. Tiffany Dzugen describes, “GLP-1 users have less appetite and food noise is much less, so they’re eating less out of boredom, or for comfort.”
GLP-1 receptor agonists are transforming the healthcare industry, spurring growth in markets like self-injection devices and cold chain logistics. But it's also changing the food industry by curbing appetites, causing a significant shift in consumer demand away from high-calorie processed foods toward healthier, nutrient-dense options. The data also suggests that the long-term impact of GLP-1 usage could reshape agriculture and supply chains, as well as the fast-food industry.
