The FDA has approved Foundayo, an oral GLP‑1 weight‑loss medication from Eli Lilly, expanding options for people who prefer pills to injections. Foundayo is the second oral GLP‑1 approved for weight loss and is the first that does not require taking it on an empty stomach, a change Lilly says should make treatment easier to fit into daily life.
In a large clinical trial, Foundayo lowered average body weight by about 7.5% at the lowest dose and 11.2% at the highest. By comparison, current injectable GLP‑1 drugs can produce average weight loss of roughly 15%–20%. Gastrointestinal side effects were common; about 10% of participants on the highest dose stopped treatment because of side effects.
Lilly’s chief scientific officer, Dr. Daniel Skovronsky, said the pill could “democratize treatment of obesity,” reaching patients who haven’t used or wanted injectable therapies. Foundayo will begin shipping April 6.
Pricing announced by Lilly places the drug in line with other GLP‑1 options: out‑of‑pocket monthly costs for people without insurance will start at $149 and can go up to $349 depending on dose; Medicare patients may pay about $50 per month; eligible insured patients could pay as little as $25 per month.
A key limitation of GLP‑1 medications remains that many people regain weight after stopping treatment. That raises broader questions about long‑term strategies for obesity prevention and the fiscal impact of treating large populations with costly medications. Dr. Jon LaPook, CBS News, reported from New York.