The UK has authorised Eli Lilly’s Foundayo, a once-daily oral GLP-1 medication for weight management and type 2 diabetes, marking a significant development in accessible obesity treatments across Europe.
The UK has become the first country in Europe to clear a new once-daily tablet for weight loss and type 2 diabetes, in a move that could widen access to the rapidly expanding class of GLP-1 medicines, according to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
The drug, orforglipron, which will be sold under the name Foundayo by Eli Lilly, was authorised on Monday. The pill is intended for adults living with obesity, or those with a body mass index of 27 to 30 who also have at least one weight-related health condition, when used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and more exercise. It is also licensed to help improve blood sugar control in patients with poorly managed type 2 diabetes.
Orforglipron belongs to the GLP-1 receptor agonist family, the same broad category as injectable weight-loss and diabetes treatments already in use. According to medical references from Mayo Clinic and MedlinePlus, the medicine works by helping lower blood sugar, slowing digestion and reducing appetite. It is taken once a day, with or without food, and without restrictions on drinking water.
The MHRA said the tablet had passed a rigorous review of safety, quality and effectiveness. Julian Beach, the agency’s executive director of healthcare quality and access, said the regulator was pleased to be the first in Europe to approve the medicine for weight management and type 2 diabetes. He added that, as with all GLP-1 medicines, it remains prescription-only and will stay under close safety monitoring.
The approval does not mean it is immediately available on the NHS. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence will assess whether it should be funded, while patients are being warned to avoid unregulated sellers because of the risks associated with buying GLP-1 drugs outside authorised supply chains.
Dose increases are planned gradually, beginning at 0.8mg and rising through 2.5mg, 5.5mg, 9mg, 14.5mg and 17.2mg, with patients spending at least a month at each stage. Common side effects include nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, vomiting, indigestion and abdominal pain, according to the information released alongside the approval and clinical drug references.
The decision follows the MHRA’s approval in June of the first GLP-1 pill for weight loss, a tablet version of Wegovy, underlining how quickly the market for oral obesity treatments is developing.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
