Haleon plc (NYSE: HLN) is leveraging the expanding U.S. population using GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, such as Wegovy and Zepbound, to drive incremental revenue. According to Reuters, the company places products addressing GLP-1-related side effects in dedicated sections at CVS, a strategy that has generated an average 24% increase in sales per store and secured the majority of GLP-1-related shelf space at the retailer. Reuters also reported that approximately 11% of Americans currently use these drugs, creating a substantial consumer base for Haleon's over-the-counter offerings.
The timing of this strategy coincides with a recovery in Haleon's North American business. In the first half of 2026, North American organic revenue growth accelerated to 3.1% in the second quarter, up from 1.0% in the first quarter. Haleon attributed this improvement to its growth initiatives and execution. During this period, Advil gained market share in a declining market, while the Pain Relief category posted mid-single-digit organic growth in the second quarter.
North America has historically been a weak spot for the company. The region generated £3.87 billion in revenue in 2025 but recorded a 0.4% organic decline. Although Advil was flat for the full year 2025, U.S. trends had been improving. The reported 24% per-store sales increase suggests that targeted merchandising is converting a broad consumer-health opportunity into measurable incremental demand.
The potential impact of the GLP-1 strategy extends beyond Advil to Haleon's broader Digestive Health portfolio. Because GLP-1 drugs are associated with gastrointestinal side effects, demand may support products such as Tums and Benefiber, which already contributed to category growth in 2025. Pain Relief generated 2.3% organic growth for the full year 2025. Reuters reports that Haleon is discussing similar shelf positioning with Walmart and Target, which could broaden distribution and improve the productivity of its U.S. portfolio.
However, analysts note that the current scale of GLP-1-related demand may not be sufficient to materially alter Haleon's overall growth trajectory. The reported 24% sales uplift is specific to stores utilizing the merchandising strategy rather than Haleon's entire U.S. business. The company must achieve broader adoption across retailers and products before this opportunity translates into significant group-level revenue growth.
There is also a risk that Haleon becomes overly dependent on a consumer trend whose impact on over-the-counter categories is still developing. North America represented approximately one-third of Haleon's 2025 revenue, a significant share given the region's negative full-year organic growth. Even with the recent recovery, Haleon's organic revenue growth for the first half of 2026 was only 2.6%, which remains below its medium-term target of 4%-6%. Management has maintained its 2026 guidance of 3%-5% organic growth.
The GLP-1 strategy provides a tangible method for capturing new demand while strengthening key brands in the U.S. While the early evidence from CVS supports the viability of targeted placement, the opportunity remains narrow relative to Haleon's global revenue base of over £11 billion. The development is significant primarily as a potential contributor to restoring sustained North American growth rather than as a standalone earnings driver.