The oral weight loss franchises battles are now in high dungeon, with Lilly’s on market since April 1.

But to be certain, each of these drugs will sell into the multiple billion-dollars of recurring annual revenue — over the next five or so years. There is plenty of demand in this burgeoning marketplace, for the more convenient oral pills. [My earlier mid-March, from the mountains… backgrounder may be found, here.]

As I’ve said before though — we still do not know what the long-term profile will be for daily use beyond three to five years. That is an open question, as to potential side effects. Here’s the latest on the market dynamics, though from BusinessInsider:

…Novo Nordisk, which makes Ozempic, released the first oral semaglutide pill for type 2 diabetes treatment with FDA approval in 2019. Called Rybelsus, that pill must be taken each morning with a small amount of water on an empty stomach.

Oral Wegovy, also made by Novo Nordisk, became available for weight loss in early 2026, and Novo plans to soon release a pill form of Ozempic. Per Lilly, Foundayo has more flexibility than competitors: It can be taken at any time of day and has been approved for generalized weight loss-related use…. Research released by Eli Lilly reports that common side effects include nausea, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, indigestion, abdominal pain, headache, bloating, fatigue, and hair loss. Inflammation of the pancreas, dehydration, severe stomach problems, and allergic reactions are also possible, but rare….

[T]he insurance conversation around GLP-1s has been complex — with insurers and companies rolling back coverage as the drugs’ popularity drives up costs. A GoodRx analysis found that the number of Americans without coverage for Eli Lilly’s Zepbound increased by 12% from 2025 to 2026. Over 16 million people with private insurance don’t have any coverage for this class of drug in 2026 when prescribed for weight loss, the analysis found….

Do stay tuned — this is likely Act I — of an at-least three act play. Onward, into the cool sunshine.

नमस्ते