Weight Loss Pill Orforglipron Could Transform NHS Obesity Care

A new oral medication weight loss, orforglipron, has shown promising results in a landmark trial, marking a significant step for obesity treatment in the UK. Developed by Eli Lilly, orforglipron acts on the same GLP1 receptors targeted by existing injectable drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, with the key distinction that it is taken as a daily tablet rather than by injection.

The trial, which included 3127 adults, found that individuals who took the pill once daily for 72 weeks lost an average of 12.3kg, equivalent to nearly two stone. Notably, three in five participants on the highest dose lost at least 10 per cent of their body weight. Eli Lilly intends to submit the drug for regulatory approval by the end of the year and has forecasted substantial demand as the pill is expected to be easier to use and cheaper to manufacture than existing injections.

Although patients lost slightly less weight compared to those using existing options—12.4 per cent of body weight on orforglipron versus 20.2 per cent with Mounjaro and 13.7 per cent with Wegovy—the convenience and potentially lower cost could make orforglipron a pivotal solution. Side effects mirrored those seen with other GLP1 treatments, with gastrointestinal issues reported most frequently, but the oral form is considered more acceptable to many, potentially broadening access to effective obesity interventions.

Health benefits extended beyond weight loss, with improvements noted in cholesterol profiles, blood pressure and heart disease risk factors. While full peer-reviewed data are still pending, experts in metabolic health and finance highlight the possible long-term economic impact of applying a cost-effective and accessible oral therapy in the NHS. Manufacturing the pill is anticipated to require fewer resources, potentially making weight-loss medication more equitably available to a wider population and helping to alleviate public health pressures tied to obesity.

The findings, now being presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting, suggest a dynamic shift in the pharmaceutical landscape for chronic weight management. If approved, orforglipron could lead to improved adherence, reduced costs and measurable savings for health services, along with benefits for millions battling obesity in the UK.