Orforglipron (Foundayo): where it stands in the UK
Foundayo (orforglipron) is Eli Lilly's once-daily oral GLP-1 pill — the first weight-loss GLP-1 you can swallow with a glass of water instead of inject. The FDA approved it on 1 April 2026; we expect the MHRA to follow in late 2026 or 2027.
The first oral GLP-1 for weight loss.
Orforglipron is the active ingredient in Foundayo. Unlike Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic — which are peptides that have to be injected because stomach acid would otherwise destroy them — orforglipron is a small molecule. That means it survives digestion and can be taken as an ordinary pill.
It targets the same gut hormone pathway: activating the GLP-1 receptor to reduce appetite, slow stomach emptying, and improve blood sugar control. The clinical effect on body weight is broadly comparable to other GLP-1 medications.
One practical advantage of Foundayo is convenience. Lilly designed it so it can be taken any time of day, with or without food or water — unlike the existing oral semaglutide pill (Rybelsus), which requires a 30-minute fast and strict water dosing on an empty stomach.
Where we are on the timeline.
The FDA approval is a signal — it means orforglipron has cleared the highest evidence bar there is. The MHRA review in the UK is well under way; here's where we are.
Foundayo regulatory timeline
- 2024 – 2025 Phase 3 trials completed. The ATTAIN-1, ATTAIN-2 and ATTAIN-MAINTAIN trials all report positive weight-loss and safety data.
- 1 April 2026 FDA approval. The US Food and Drug Administration approves Foundayo for adults with obesity, and for overweight adults with at least one weight-related condition.
- Now — May 2026 UK regulatory position. Eli Lilly has said it submitted orforglipron for weight management to regulators in more than 40 countries; it has not publicly confirmed a UK submission, and the MHRA does not publish pending applications. NICE has an appraisal in progress (ID6516), publication expected 18 November 2026.
- Late 2026 – 2027 Expected UK private availability. Once MHRA grants a licence, Foundayo will be available on private prescription through GPhC-registered UK pharmacies.
- 2027 – 2028 NHS access (uncertain). A separate NICE assessment is required before the NHS can routinely prescribe Foundayo.
The closest UK option today is Mounjaro.
If you'd rather not wait until 2027, the medication that comes closest to Foundayo in terms of weight-loss outcomes — and is licensed in the UK right now — is Mounjaro (tirzepatide). It's a once-weekly injection rather than a daily pill, but the clinical pathway and our service around it are identical to what we plan to offer for Foundayo.
Foundayo vs Mounjaro
- Foundayo: oral pill, once-daily, ~12.4% weight loss (trial average)
- Mounjaro: injection, once-weekly, ~22.5% weight loss (trial average at top dose)
- Both: work on the GLP-1 pathway
- Both: prescription-only, require clinical assessment
- Today (UK): only Mounjaro is licensed
If you want an oral option today
The Wegovy Tablet (oral semaglutide) is licensed in the UK and is the only oral GLP-1 currently available on private prescription here. It is a different medicine to orforglipron, with its own dosing and evidence.
About the Wegovy Tablet →What people are asking us.
Will it cost less than the injections?
In the US, Lilly has signalled commercial pricing roughly in line with injectable GLP-1s. UK pricing will depend on the MHRA licence terms and whether NICE assesses it for NHS use. We'll publish pricing the day we can start prescribing.
Is the pill as effective as the injection?
Trial averages: Foundayo ~12.4% weight loss; Wegovy ~20.7%; Mounjaro ~22.5%. Foundayo sits at the gentler end of the GLP-1 effectiveness range, with the major advantage of being a tablet.
Are the side effects different?
Like Mounjaro and Wegovy, the most common side effects in trials were nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and decreased appetite — usually mild to moderate and easing within a few weeks of starting or increasing the dose.
Licensed weight-loss options while Foundayo is under review
Foundayo isn't UK-licensed yet. These MHRA-licensed medicines may be an option, if a prescriber decides they're appropriate after a free assessment.
Treatments we can prescribe today
Orforglipron is not licensed in the UK and we cannot supply it. Mounjaro, Wegovy and the Wegovy Tablet are UK-licensed and available on private prescription after a clinical assessment with our prescriber.