A new daily oral medication for type 2 diabetes and weight loss, Orforglipron (Foundayo), has been approved for use in UK pharmacies. It offers an alternative for patients unable to use injectable treatments, though concerns about counterfeit versions have been raised.
This development offers a new oral treatment option for individuals with type 2 diabetes and obesity in the UK, potentially expanding access to weight management therapies. However, it also raises concerns about the safety and regulation of such medications due to the risk of counterfeit products.
A new daily oral medication for type 2 diabetes and weight loss, Orforglipron, marketed as Foundayo by US pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly, has become available in UK pharmacies starting Monday. This marks the UK as the first country in Europe to approve the drug, following authorization by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) earlier this month.
Khalil Asmar, vice-president of cardiometabolic health at Lilly Northern Europe, stated that the availability of Foundayo provides another oral treatment option for eligible UK patients, complementing existing injectable treatments. The drug is licensed for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above, or those with a BMI between 27 and 30 who have at least one weight-related condition. It also serves to improve blood sugar levels in patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes. The pill can be taken once daily without specific food or water restrictions.
Initially, Foundayo will be accessible via private prescription. Eli Lilly is collaborating with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) to assess the drug for potential inclusion in the NHS in England.
Henry Gregg, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association, welcomed the availability of a second weight-loss pill, noting its significance for patients who prefer not to use injectable medicines and could broaden access to weight-loss treatments. However, he also highlighted concerns about the increasing circulation of fake, unlicensed, or counterfeit versions of these drugs, which may be easier to produce in pill form. Last year, the MHRA confiscated £250,000 worth of unlicensed weight-loss pens and ingredients. Eli Lilly is pursuing legal action against suppliers accused of operating in an illegal market for its medications.
Patients are strongly advised to obtain weight-loss treatments exclusively from safe and regulated pharmacies. Gregg urged increased government and NHS efforts to leverage pharmacies in providing weight-loss treatments to eligible patients, addressing the current disparity in access to weight management services via GPs.