New daily diabetes pill that helps with weight loss launches in UK pharmacies

A new daily pill that treats diabetes and helps with weight loss will be available in UK pharmacies from Monday.

Pharmacists said the move would be welcome for people who cannot use weight-loss jabs, but also issued a warning over the growing problem of fake, unlicensed or counterfeit versions of GLP-1 tablets.

Orforglipron, known as Foundayo and made by the US pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly, was authorised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) earlier this month. The UK is the first country in Europe to approve it, after approving another weight-loss pill in June.

“The UK is the first country in Europe where Foundayo is now available,” said Khalil Asmar, the vice-president of cardiometabolic health at Lilly Northern Europe. “We’re pleased that this means there is another oral treatment option for eligible UK patients alongside licensed injectable treatments.”

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Source: The Guardian, 24 August 2026