LONDON, Aug. 10 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today (10, August, 2026) authorised orforglipron(Foundayo), making the UKthefirst countryin Europeto approve thisGLP-1tablet forweight managementandtype 2 diabetes.
Alongside areduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, orforglipron is authorised for weight loss and weight maintenance in adults in the UK with a BMI of 30 or above, or a BMI of between 27 and 30, and at least one weight-related comorbidity. It is also authorised toimproveglycaemic control for patients withinsufficiently controlledtype 2 diabetes.
Julian Beach,MHRAExecutive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access, said:
"Following rigorous assessment oforforglipron'ssafety, quality,and effectiveness,we are pleased to be the first regulatorin Europeto authorise this tablet forweight managementandtype 2 diabetes.
"As with all GLP-1receptor agonists,thisisa prescription-only medication, andtheMHRAwillkeepthe safety and effectiveness oforforglipronunder close review."
Theorforgliprontabletistaken once dailyandcan be taken at any time of daywithnofood or water restrictions.Treatment begins at 0.8 mg, escalating through 2.5 mg, 5.5 mg, 9 mg, 14.5 mg,and 17.2 mg, with a minimum of one month at each dose level.Patients shouldfollow the instructions in the Patient Information Leaflet
Orforglipronis a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It works by mimicking the action of a naturally occurring hormone, glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1), which is released by the body after eating.Orforglipronacts on areas of the brain that regulate appetite, helping people feel fuller for longer, reducing hunger and decreasing food cravings. As a result, it can help people eat less and support weight reduction alongsideappropriate dietand lifestyle measures.In peoplewithtype 2 diabetesorforglipronalsoreduces the levelsof sugar in the body when the levels of sugar are high.
Themost common side effectsfor those taking orforglipron are nausea, constipation, diarrhoea,vomiting,dyspepsia(indigestion),and abdominal pain.
Whilst this tablet is approved for use in the UK, it is not available currently via the NHS. As with all new treatments, decisions on NHS use will follow established processes, including an evaluation by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
All GLP-1 medicines are prescription only medicines, which means they can only be obtained from a registered pharmacy, with a prescription from a doctor. Buying GLP-1 medicines from unregulated sellers carries serious health risks.
It isagainst the lawto promoteanyprescription-only medication direct tothe public.
Anyone who suspects they are 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, either through thewebsite or by searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow Card.
Notes to editors:
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Authorisation for this newindicationfororforglipron(Foundayo) was granted on10August,2026toEli Lilly.
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More information can be found in the Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information leaflets which will be published on theMHRA Products websitewithin 7 days of approval.
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The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)is responsible forregulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.
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The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.
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For media enquiries, please contact the news centre on 020 3080 7651 ornewscentre@mhra.gov.uk
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
