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UK approval of Eli Lilly oral weight-loss pill

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2026-08-14 09:32 UTC → 2026-08-15 11:43 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has authorized Eli Lilly’s oral GLP-1 receptor agonist, marketed as Foundayo (orforglipron). This decision makes the United Kingdom the first European nation to approve an oral medication for both weight management and type 2 diabetes treatment. Foundayo is a once-daily pill intended for adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or those with a BMI between 27 and 30 who possess at least one weight-related health condition. The medication works by mimicking the glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone to regulate appetite and blood sugar. Reported side effects include nausea, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, indigestion, and abdominal pain. This authorization marks a shift in the weight-loss market from injectable medications, such as Wegovy and Zepbound, toward more convenient oral therapies. Foundayo offers a potential advantage over some competitors by having no food restrictions, whereas Wegovy requires users to abstain from eating for 30 minutes after administration. While regulatory approval has been granted, the drug is not yet available through the National Health Service (NHS) pending an assessment by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Initial availability is expected to be through private prescriptions.

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