Emirates Drug Establishment approves oral obesity treatment

April 03, 2026 / 7:22 PM

Dr Fatima Al Kaabi, Director-General of Emirates Drug Establishment

Sharjah 24: The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) has approved Foundayo™ (orforglipron), an innovative oral therapy for chronic weight management, making the UAE the second country worldwide to register the medication. Developed by global pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, the approval marks a shift from injectable treatments to oral options.

Advancing patient-centered care

EDE highlighted that this approval aligns with its mission to provide advanced, high-value therapies that enhance the patient experience and expand access to global pharmaceutical innovations. Orforglipron is a once-daily oral GLP-1 receptor agonist, designed to support weight reduction and manage chronic obesity without food or water intake restrictions.

Clinical benefits and obesity management

The treatment helps regulate appetite and reduce excessive food intake, complementing lifestyle modification and overall health improvement programs. Clinical trials showed participants using the highest dose experienced an average weight loss of 12.4% alongside lifestyle guidance.

Leadership statements

Her Excellency Dr Fatima Al Kaabi, Director-General of EDE, emphasised that the UAE’s approval demonstrates the country’s commitment to adopting the latest pharmaceutical innovations and tackling obesity, which is linked to over 200 diseases, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and certain cancers.

Roberta Marinelli, President and General Manager of Eli Lilly META Hub, added that the oral therapy provides an additional option for obesity management and will be available to eligible patients in the UAE starting May 2026.

Strategic impact

The approval reflects EDE’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the UAE’s pharmaceutical ecosystem, enhance prevention strategies, and ensure timely access to high-quality treatments that support long-term community health.