Weight loss pill for type 2 diabetes now available in UK pharmacies
A new daily weight loss pill for type 2 diabetes is now available in UK pharmacies, but not yet on the NHS.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A new daily weight loss pill for people with type 2 diabetes has gone on sale in UK pharmacies. The drug, sold as Fandao, is the second weight loss pill to become available in Britain, and the UK is the first country in Europe to approve it. It is not yet available on the NHS.
The pill works in a similar way to injectable weight loss drugs, by activating the GLP-1 receptor, which slows digestion and reduces appetite. But unlike injections, it is taken as a tablet once a day. It is also said to have fewer restrictions than the existing Wegovy pill, which must be taken on an empty stomach.
It is licensed for adults with a body mass index of 30 or above, or those with a BMI between 27 and 30 who also have a weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease. Experts stress it is not a 'miracle pill' and should be used alongside diet and exercise.
Clinical trials suggest the pill leads to an average weight loss of around 11% over 22 weeks, which is less than the injectable versions. Side effects can include nausea, vomiting and headaches. Doctors also warn about the risk of counterfeit versions being sold online.
The availability of the pill comes as new figures suggest around 1.6 million people in the UK have tried weight loss drugs in the past year. There is also evidence that men are more reluctant than women to admit using them, with some feeling ashamed about needing pharmaceutical help.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | BBC One | ITV |
|---|---|---|---|
| The pill is available to people with a BMI of 30, or 27 with a comorbidity such as diabetes. | · | ||
| A new daily weight loss pill has fewer restrictions than the existing Wegovy pill. | · | · | |
| A new weight-loss pill called Fandao was made by the company that produces Mounjaro. | · | · | |
| An estimated 1.6 million people in the UK tried weight loss drugs in the past year. | · | · | |
| Men are more reluctant than women to disclose using weight loss drugs. | · | · | |
| More adults in the Northeast are obese than anywhere else in the country. | · | · | |
| Most patients buy weight loss injections privately. | · | · | |
| The drug is not yet available on the NHS. | · | · | |
| The pill is not suitable for everyone and should be used for appropriate patients. | · | · | |
| The pill leads to an average weight loss of 11% over 22 weeks. | · | · | |
| The UK was the first country in Europe to approve the tablet. | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
Focused on the practical differences between the new pill and the existing Wegovy pill, including the daily dosing and fewer restrictions. The tone was clinical but accessible, with a GP explaining the chemical makeup and weight loss expectations. It also highlighted the need to use the drug for the right patients and acknowledged uncertainty about long-term effects.
- “So, the fact is that this one is what we describe as a non-peptide. It's a smaller chemical. It's very similar to the Weygevy, in that it's a GLP-1 medication.”
- “No one's actually done a table of all of the drugs, but yes, for 22 weeks there's an 11% average weight loss.”
- “I think we need to use it for the right patients. We can't be giving it out to everybody.”
Took a broader social angle, looking at the stigma men face when using weight loss drugs. The report featured a personal story of a man who lost eight stone, and discussed regional obesity rates. It did not focus on the specific new pill but on the wider context of weight loss medication use.
- “But women are much more open about using weight loss drugs. It seems to be something that's talked about more by women, whereas for men, I do wonder whether there's that shame that actually resorting to something pharmaceutical to assist you is somehow wrong”
- “Since last April, I've lost eight stone.”
- “More adults in the Northeast are obese than anywhere else in this country, and a lot of them are men.”
Emphasised the safety and regulatory aspects of the new pill, including its licensing criteria, side effects, and the risk of counterfeit products. The interview with a GP stressed that it is a prescription-only medication and not a cosmetic product, and warned against buying it privately without medical supervision.
- “The pill is designed to be more accessible. It breaks the same receptor which is GLP-1, and it slows down gastric emptying and makes you feel fuller for longer”
- “Because it's a pill, people don't see it as severe as the injections, and so therefore, they're more likely to buy it privately, and that's something that we do not encourage unless it's prescribed.”
- “If you're not getting them prescribed by a doctor or by a medical health professional who can prescribe, then do not take these pills, because the black market for these drugs, because they're vogue at the moment, can be quite big.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.