The UAE's approval of Foundayo, the oral obesity pill from Eli Lilly, marks a turning point in how the country handles weight management. On 24 April 2026, Abu Dhabi's Department of Health officially introduced the once-daily pill into its Personalised Weight Management Programme, making the UAE only the second country in the world to offer this treatment. For anyone managing obesity through weekly injections or struggling with long-term adherence, this is the most significant healthcare announcement in years.
What Is Foundayo, the UAE's Approved Oral Obesity Pill?
Foundayo, known generically as orforglipron, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by US pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly. Originally discovered by Chugai Pharmaceutical and licensed by Eli Lilly in 2018, it works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, regulating appetite and reducing excessive food intake.
Its format is the headline: Foundayo is a small-molecule pill taken once daily with no restrictions on food, water, or timing. No injections, no needles, no complex scheduling.
The Emirates Drug Establishment gave Foundayo its green light on 3 April 2026, two days after FDA approval in the United States — making the UAE only the second country in the world to register the drug.
What the Clinical Trials Show
Foundayo's approval is backed by data from the Phase 3 ATTAIN-1 trial, one of the most closely watched obesity drug studies in recent years. At 72 weeks, participants on the highest dose lost an average of 12.3 kg. Close to 60 percent of those on the highest dose lost at least 10 percent of their body weight, while nearly 40 percent shed 15 percent or more.
The trial also showed meaningful improvements in key heart disease risk markers — including cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure — at all dose levels. This positions Foundayo as a documented health intervention for adults with obesity-related conditions, with clinical evidence on cardiovascular risk reduction alongside weight loss.
The most commonly reported side effects were mild to moderate gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea.
Abu Dhabi's Personalised Weight Management Programme
On 24 April 2026, Abu Dhabi's Department of Health announced Foundayo's inclusion in the Personalised Weight Management Programme, run in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre. The Imperial College London Diabetes and Endocrine Centre will prescribe the treatment to eligible patients.
The programme pairs Foundayo with behavioural support and continuous digital monitoring, targeting long-term outcomes — not short-term fixes. Treatment is fully covered for eligible adults, with access starting May 2026.
Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Under-Secretary of Abu Dhabi's Department of Health, said the initiative demonstrates the emirate's commitment to patient-centred care that responds to real-life challenges, particularly around treatment adherence.
Roberta Marinelli, President and General Manager of Eli Lilly META Hub, said making Foundayo available in the UAE gives eligible patients a meaningful additional option for managing obesity.
Metabolic Is the First Provider in the Middle East
Abu Dhabi-based Metabolic, formerly GluCare.Health, is the first healthcare provider outside the United States and the first in the Middle East to offer Foundayo. The clinic incorporated the pill into its clinical pathways following FDA approval, with patient access opening from early May 2026.
The clinic treats obesity as a chronic metabolic condition. Its 2025 Outcomes Report found that 52.2 percent of patients lost more than 10 percent of their body weight at the 12-month mark, with structured care proving more effective at preserving muscle mass than prescription-only methods.
What This Means for Obesity Care in the UAE
Obesity management in the UAE is no longer about one-off treatments. According to the Global Obesity Observatory, roughly 26 percent of adult males and 30 percent of women in the UAE are living with obesity. Abu Dhabi's Personalised Weight Management Programme takes that challenge head-on — combining Foundayo with behavioural support and digital monitoring at its core.
For eligible patients, this oral obesity pill represents exactly what long-term care should look like. The UAE is not waiting for the rest of the world to catch up.
