The UK has become the first country in Europe to approve orforglipron, branded as Foundayo, for weight management and type 2 diabetes. The pill, manufactured by Eli Lilly, is expected to be significantly cheaper than injectable alternatives, with estimated monthly costs between £100 and £117.
Approval and Expert Reactions
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) granted authorisation for Foundayo, making it one of two GLP-1 pills approved in the UK. While it will be available via private prescription, there is no indication yet whether it will be offered on the NHS.
Experts have welcomed the approval. Dr Simon Cork, senior lecturer in physiology at Anglia Ruskin University, called it a 'big step forward in the treatment of obesity.' Professor Naveed Sattar of Glasgow University added, 'The arrival of another effective oral option is a positive development and should help more people access treatment that best suits their needs and preferences.'
How Foundayo Works and Who It's For
Like semaglutide and tirzepatide, orforglipron is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics a naturally occurring hormone released after eating. According to the MHRA, it 'acts on areas of the brain that regulate appetite, helping people feel fuller for longer, reducing hunger and decreasing food cravings.' It also regulates blood sugar, making it effective for patients with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes.
Foundayo is licensed for adults with insufficiently controlled diabetes, a BMI of 30 or above, or a BMI between 27 and 30 with at least one weight-related comorbidity such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or obstructive sleep apnoea. Dr Earim Chaudry, chief medical officer of Voy, told Metro that people on the highest dose lost an average of 12.4% of their body weight over 72 weeks, with about 1 in 5 participants without diabetes losing at least 20%.
Side Effects and Cost Comparison
Common side effects listed by the MHRA include nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, vomiting, indigestion, and abdominal pain. Dr Chaudry noted these are 'consistent with other GLP-1 weight loss medications,' adding that stomach issues tend to settle as the body adjusts.
Simple Online Pharmacy estimates a monthly supply of Foundayo will cost between £100 and £117. In comparison, a minimum dose of Mounjaro costs £130 to £225 per month, with maintenance doses up to £359. Wegovy jabs start from around £85 for a 0.25mg dose, but maximum doses range from £200 to £400 monthly.
While results are less dramatic than jabs (Mounjaro users lose on average 22.5%), Dr Chaudry says the pill offers an alternative for those with needle anxiety or food restrictions, noting, 'Unlike the Wegovy pill, it can be taken at any time of day, with or without food.' Foundayo is expected to become available for purchase later this month.
