The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has authorised orforglipron (Foundayo) today, 10 August 2026. This makes the UK the first country in Europe to approve this GLP-1 tablet for both weight management and type 2 diabetes.
Orforglipron is authorised for weight loss and maintenance in adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or a BMI between 27 and 30 with at least one weight-related comorbidity, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. It is also approved to improve glycaemic control for patients with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes.
Julian Beach, MHRA Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access, stated that the authorisation followed a rigorous assessment of the tablet's safety, quality, and effectiveness. The MHRA will continue to keep its safety and effectiveness under close review.
The tablet is taken once daily and works by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone, glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1), to regulate appetite and help reduce hunger and food cravings. For those with type 2 diabetes, it also lowers high blood sugar levels. Common side effects include nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, vomiting, indigestion, and abdominal pain.
While approved for use in the UK, orforglipron is not currently available through the NHS. Decisions on NHS use will involve an evaluation by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).