Foundayo: The UK’s newest weight loss pill set to be ‘much cheaper’ than jabs

It could work out a fair whack cheaper, but results aren’t quite as dramatic as jabs (Picture: Getty Images)

There’s a new kid on the block when it comes to weight loss treatments — and it’s set to give jabs a run for their money.

This week, the UK became the first country in Europe to approve the use of orforglipron — branded as Foundayo — for weight management and type 2 diabetes.

Made by Mounjaro manufacturer Eli Lilly, it’s one of two GLP-1 pills to receive Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) authorisation.

But while it’s got the go-ahead to be sold via private prescription, there’s no indication of whether Foundayo will be offered via the NHS.

Still, many experts are optimistic about the drug, with Dr Simon Cork, senior lecturer in physiology at Anglia Ruskin University, describing it as a ‘big step forward in the treatment of obesity.’

Glasgow University Professor of Metabolic Medicine, Naveed Sattar, 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 does Foundayo work?

Like semaglutide and tirzepatide (the active ingredients in Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic), orforglipron is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, whichmimics a naturally occurring hormone, glucagon-like peptide released by the body after eating — just in the form of pill to be taken once a day.

Foundayo is an orforglipron drug made by Mounjaro manufacturer Eli Lilly (Picture: Eli Lilly)

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.’

At the same time, the medication regulates blood sugar, making it an effective treatment for ‘for patients with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes.’

Who is it for?

Foundayo is licensed for adults with insufficiently controlled diabetes, a BMI of 30 or above, or a BMI of between 27 and 30 and 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, tells Metro that people trialled on the highest dose of Foundayo lost an average of 12.4% of their body weight over 72 weeks, with around 1 in 5 participants without diabetes losing at least 20%.

Although results aren’t quite as dramatic as with jabs (Mounjaro users lose on average 22.5%) he says the pills can be a good alternative for ‘people who’ve been put off other weight loss medications, either because of needle anxiety or the food restrictions that some oral options require.’

‘Unlike the Wegovy pill, it can be taken at any time of day, with or without food, which offers more flexibility for people who want that,’ Dr Chaudry adds.

Common side effects

The MHRA lists the most common side effects for those taking orforglipron as nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, vomiting, indigestion, and abdominal pain.

Dr Chaudry notes that this is ‘consistent with other GLP-1 weight loss medications’, adding: ‘Stomach issues are common early on with this class of medicine, and tend to settle down as the body gets used to the medication and the dose, especially alongside small lifestyle adjustments.’

Anyone who suspects they’re having a side effect from this medicine is encouraged to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse, and report it directly to the Yellow Card scheme.

How much does it cost?

While exact pricing may differ when Foundayo becomes available to buy later this month, Dr Simon Cork says it’s ‘likely to be much cheaper than currently available medications.’

Simple Online Pharmacy currently estimates a monthly supply will cost between £100 and £117, depending on dosage.

In comparison, a minimum dose of Mounjaro currently comes in at £130 to £225 per month (not including introductory subscription discounts), with maintenance doses costing up to £359.

Wegovy jabs can work out slightly more affordable on the lower end, starting from around £85 for a 0.25mg dose. If you’re on the maximum 7.2mg however, you’re looking at anywhere between £200 and £400 for a month’s worth.

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