UK approves new once-daily weight-loss pill

LONDON — The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved orforglipron, marketed as Foundayo, a once-daily GLP-1 tablet for weight management and the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

The MHRA said the UK is the first country in Europe to approve the GLP-1 medicine for both weight management and type 2 diabetes.

According to the regulator, orforglipron can be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to help adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above lose weight and manage their weight.

The medicine can also be used by adults with a BMI between 27 and 30 who have at least one additional health condition associated with excess weight.

Orforglipron has also been approved to help improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes whose blood sugar levels are not adequately controlled.

The tablet is taken once a day and can be taken at any time, with no restrictions on food or water, the MHRA said.

The medicine works by targeting areas of the brain involved in regulating appetite, helping people feel fuller for longer while reducing hunger and food cravings.

The most common side effects include nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, vomiting, indigestion and abdominal pain.

Although the medicine has been approved for use in the UK, it is not currently available through the National Health Service (NHS).

MHRA: Safety, quality and effectiveness rigorously assessed

Julian Beach, MHRA Executive Director for Healthcare Quality and Access, said the safety, quality and effectiveness of orforglipron had been subject to rigorous assessment.

Beach said the agency was pleased to become the first regulatory authority in Europe to approve the tablet for both weight management and the treatment of type 2 diabetes.