Eli Lilly’s Foundayo, the first approved once-daily GLP-1 tablet in Europe, is now available in UK pharmacies, offering a new oral treatment option for weight management and diabetes control, potentially expanding access for patients unable to use injectable medicines.
A new once-daily pill for weight loss and type 2 diabetes is now being dispensed by UK pharmacies, in a move that pharmacists say could broaden access for people who cannot take injectable treatments. Eli Lilly’s orforglipron, sold as Foundayo, was authorised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency earlier this month, making the UK the first country in Europe to approve the GLP-1 tablet. According to the government announcement, the medicine is licensed for adults with a body mass index of 30 or above, or 27 to 30 if they also have a weight-related health condition, and for patients whose type 2 diabetes is not well controlled.
The pill is taken once a day, with no food or water restrictions, and the dose is stepped up gradually over several months. Eli Lilly says the medicine starts at 0.8mg and rises through 2.5mg, 5.5mg, 9mg, 14.5mg and 17.2mg, with patients spending at least a month at each stage. The company is also working with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on an assessment that could support eventual use on the NHS in England.
Henry Gregg, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association, said the new treatment was “particularly significant” for people who cannot or do not want to use injections. But he warned that oral medicines can be easier to counterfeit than injectable ones, urging patients to use only regulated pharmacies. His comments came as pharmacists renewed calls for broader NHS access to weight-management treatment, which they say is still patchy across the country.
Eli Lilly says Foundayo adds another option for eligible patients alongside existing licensed injectable GLP-1 medicines. The MHRA’s approval comes after earlier UK authorisation of a pill form of Wegovy, highlighting how quickly the market for anti-obesity treatments is evolving. Pharmacy guidance sites and government material also stress that the medicine remains subject to safety monitoring as its use expands in the UK.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
