A daily weight-loss pill made by Eli Lilly, the same company behind the Mounjaro jab, has received approval for use in the UK, making it the first country in Europe to do so. The medication, named Foundayo, is designed to treat both obesity and diabetes. However, while patients can purchase it privately with a prescription, this approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) does not guarantee its availability on the National Health Service (NHS). Foundayo works as a GLP-1 medication that helps to suppress appetite, and its approval follows the MHRA’s green light for a similar weight-loss drug, Wegovy, back in June.
Eli Lilly has indicated that Foundayo could be used by the NHS for diabetes treatment right away, but they will also apply to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in England to recommend it as a weight-loss treatment. Dr. Simon Cork from Anglia Ruskin University noted that while the weight-loss benefits of Foundayo may be less pronounced than other treatments, patients can still expect to see some results. He emphasized that a significant advantage of Foundayo is its likely lower cost compared to other weight-loss treatments, which have been heavily restricted by the NHS.
The excitement doesn’t stop there! University of Glasgow expert Prof. Naveed Sattar chimed in, calling the arrival of another effective oral option “good news.” He believes this development will help more people access treatments that align with their needs and preferences. Experts also suggest that Foundayo could be beneficial for individuals transitioning off weight-loss jabs, helping them maintain their slim figures. In clinical trials, patients who had previously used weight-loss jabs and then took the Foundayo tablet daily for a year managed to avoid regaining much of the weight they had lost. This is a crucial finding, especially since regaining weight is a common risk when stopping GLP-1 injections.
Of course, for those considering this medication, it’s important to remember that a healthy diet and regular exercise are still key components of any weight-loss strategy. Just like any other medication, Foundayo comes with potential side effects, including nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting. So, it’s not all smooth sailing…
Now, with all this buzz around the new weight-loss pill, one has to wonder: will the NHS approve it for wider use, or will it remain a private option for those who can afford it? Only time will tell how this will unfold in the coming months.
Kaynak: Orijinal Haber