A new daily pill that treats diabetes and helps with weight loss will be available in UK pharmacies from Monday.
Pharmacists said the move is “particularly significant” for people who cannot use weight loss jabs, but also issued a warning over fake, unlicensed or counterfeit versions of GLP-1 tablets.
Orforglipron, known as Foundayo and made by American 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 give the pill the green light.
Eli Lilly said it is also working with the NHS spending watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, on its assessment of Foundayo for a potential rollout on the health service in England.
The drug is licensed for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above, or those with a BMI of between 27 and 30 and at least one weight-related condition.
It can also be used to improve blood sugars in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.
The pill is taken once a day, at any time, with no food or water restrictions.
Dosage begins at 0.8mg, climbing to 2.5mg, 5.5mg, 9mg, 14.5mg and 17.2mg.
Patients will spend a minimum of one month at each dosage level.
Khalil Asmar, vice-president of cardiometabolic health at Lilly Northern Europe, said: “The UK is the first country in Europe where Foundayo is now available.
“We’re pleased that this means there is another oral treatment option for eligible UK patients alongside licensed injectable treatments.”
Henry Gregg, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “This is particularly significant for patients who cannot or do not want to take an injectable medicine and could make weight loss treatment available to a wider range of patients.
“It is easier for criminals to provide fake, unlicensed or counterfeit versions of oral medications than injectables and patients must make sure they only access weight loss treatments through safe and regulated pharmacies.
“There must now be a redoubling of efforts within Government and the NHS to use pharmacies to make sure more eligible patients in clinical need can get weight loss treatments on the NHS, rather than the current postcode lottery that exists for weight management services via GPs.”
The MHRA approved the first GLP-1 pill for weight loss, a tablet form of Wegovy, in June.
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