Foundayo Weight Loss Pill Approved for Use in the UAE

A new oral weight loss medication, Foundayo, has been approved for use in the UAE and will be made available to eligible patients from next month.
The drug, which contains orforglipron and is developed by Eli Lilly, was authorised by the Emirates Drug Establishment, making the UAE the second country globally to approve the treatment after the US Food and Drug Administration.
Foundayo is taken as a once-daily tablet without food or water, distinguishing it from most weight loss treatments in its class, which are typically administered via injection. The medication works by mimicking a natural hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar.
Clinical trial data involving 3,127 patients over 72 weeks showed an average weight loss of 12.3 kilograms per person. The study also indicated reductions in markers associated with cardiovascular risk, including cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure. The most commonly reported side effects were mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and vomiting, particularly at higher doses, affecting around one-third of participants.
Officials said the approval follows evidence from clinical trials demonstrating the drug’s effectiveness, as part of broader efforts to address obesity and related conditions, including type 2 diabetes and hypertension.