Lilly Sees 56% Q1 Revenue Growth to $19.7B; GLP-1 Spending Set to Top $1T
US prescription spending could exceed $1 trillion in 2026 after 2025’s $915 billion tally, driven by GLP-1 sales led by Lilly’s tirzepatide at $63 billion. Lilly’s Q1 revenue climbed 56% to $19.7 billion, led by Zepbound ($4.16 billion) and Mounjaro ($8.66 billion), as FDA proposed banning compounding of GLP-1 therapies.
1. Spending Trends and GLP-1 Leadership
U.S. prescription drug spending jumped 13% to $915 billion in 2025, led by weight-loss and diabetes GLP-1 therapies. Lilly’s tirzepatide products recorded $63 billion in wholesale purchases, making it the nation’s top-selling drug class.
2. Q1 Financial Performance
Eli Lilly reported Q1 revenue of $19.7 billion, a 56% year-over-year increase, with Zepbound generating $4.16 billion and Mounjaro $8.66 billion. GLP-1 sales accounted for roughly two-thirds of total revenue and the company secured FDA approval for its oral GLP-1 pill, Foundayo.
3. FDA Proposed Compounding Restrictions
The FDA proposed removing tirzepatide, semaglutide and liraglutide from the 503B bulk compounding list, citing no clinical need for large-scale copying. This move aims to curb unauthorized knockoffs and bolster demand for branded GLP-1 treatments.
4. Outlook and Growth Drivers
Prescription spending is forecast to surpass $1 trillion in 2026 as GLP-1 adoption accelerates, supported by new launches like Foundayo. Lilly faces pricing pressures and competition, but regulatory protections and strong demand underpin its growth trajectory.