# More people now take GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy to lose weight than for diabetes, survey finds

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/health/more-people-now-take-glp-1-drugs-like-ozempic-and-wegovy-to-lose-weight-than-for)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 23 Oct 2026
Updated: 23 Oct 2026
Retrieved: 25 Oct 2026

> An EY-Parthenon survey of nearly 15,000 people finds 54% of semaglutide users take it for weight loss, and they are buying fewer snacks and smaller clothes. What it means for Pakistan.

**About 54% of people taking semaglutide drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy now use them to lose weight, more than for any other medical reason**, according to a survey by consulting firm EY-Parthenon, [CBS News reported](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/glp-1-weight-loss-drug-diabetes-consumption-habits/) on 22 October. The drugs were first approved to treat type 2 diabetes.

The survey covered **nearly 15,000 people in the US, including 3,602 current or former GLP-1 users**.

## How users are changing what they buy

| Change among GLP-1 users | Share |
|---|---|
| Cut back on sweet snacks | 63% |
| Eat fewer salty snacks | 57% |
| Dropped a clothing size after fast weight loss | 72% |
| Switched clothing brands | 46% |
| Spend more on gyms and fitness | About half |

Users also drink less alcohol. Food makers and shops are giving more shelf space to high-protein products and smaller portions. "Everyone accepts that this is a structural change that's not going away," said Don Johnson of EY-Parthenon.

## Why use has spread

GLP-1 drugs now come in more forms, including a pill, and are cheaper in the US after a deal between the Trump administration and makers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk cut Ozempic and Wegovy prices to **$150 to $350 a month from about $1,000**. That has brought in younger, lower-income and male users. Researchers at the Wharton School are now studying whether the drugs, which act on the brain's reward system, also curb impulse spending and gambling.

## What it means in Pakistan

At the US range of $150 to $350, a month's supply works out to roughly **Rs 41,500 to Rs 97,000** at today's rate (see [the dollar rate](/data/usd-pkr) and our [currency converter](/tools/finance/currency-converter)). Semaglutide is a prescription medicine: in Pakistan it should only be taken under a doctor's care, with a prescription filled by a licensed pharmacy. Pens sold online or by unregulated sellers may be fake or badly stored, so buy only against a prescription.

Side effects commonly include nausea, vomiting and constipation, and weight tends to return when the drug is stopped without changes to diet and exercise. Anyone with diabetes should not switch or stop their medicine without talking to their doctor.

## Frequently asked questions

**Why do most people take Ozempic now?**

For weight loss. An EY-Parthenon survey reported in October 2026 found about 54% of people taking semaglutide drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy use them to lose weight rather than for other medical reasons such as diabetes.

## Sources

- More people now use GLP-1s for weight loss than for other health conditions, research finds (22 Oct 2026) (CBS News): https://www.cbsnews.com/news/glp-1-weight-loss-drug-diabetes-consumption-habits/

How to cite: "More people now take GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy to lose weight than for diabetes, survey finds", Searchable, 23 Oct 2026, https://searchable.pk/news/health/more-people-now-take-glp-1-drugs-like-ozempic-and-wegovy-to-lose-weight-than-for