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New Weight Loss Pill Approved by FDA
1 Apr
Summary
- FDA approved Eli Lilly's new daily oral weight loss pill, Foundayo.
- Foundayo offers an alternative to weekly injections like Wegovy.
- The pill costs up to $399 monthly, with Medicare coverage possible.
The Food and Drug Administration has given its approval to Foundayo, a new daily oral medication developed by Eli Lilly for weight loss. This marks a significant advancement, as it is the second oral GLP-1 drug to enter the market recently, following Novo Nordisk's Wegovy. Foundayo is designed for flexible use, allowing patients to take it at any time without meal restrictions, unlike some injectable alternatives. The drug will be available in multiple dosages to help manage potential side effects, with initial out-of-pocket costs around $149 per month. Higher doses could reach $399, and coverage by private insurers remains uncertain. However, a Trump administration initiative may enable Medicare to cover Foundayo for eligible patients as early as this summer, with copays as low as $50.
Eli Lilly's CEO highlighted the pill's convenience, fitting easily into daily routines. Clinical trial data indicates that Foundayo can lead to an average weight loss of 12.4% at its highest dose over 72 weeks. While comparable to Wegovy pills, this is less than some weekly injectable GLP-1s. Experts suggest the pills might be particularly beneficial for maintaining weight loss or for patients who prefer to avoid injections. Common side effects reported are gastrointestinal issues, mirroring those of Eli Lilly's injectable medications.
