UK's first once-daily weight loss pill Fandeo now on sale
Fandeo, a GLP-1 pill for weight loss and type 2 diabetes, is now available on private prescription; NHS rollout awaits NICE review.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The UK's first once-daily weight loss pill, Fandeo, has gone on sale in pharmacies and online across the country. The tablet, made by US pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly, is also designed to treat type 2 diabetes. It was approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) two weeks ago, and is currently available only on private prescription, with a starting cost of around £100.
Fandeo belongs to the class of GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic a natural hormone that signals fullness to the brain. Unlike injectable versions, the pill works as a smaller chemical compound and does not need to be taken on an empty stomach. Doctors say it slows gastric emptying and reduces appetite, helping patients eat less and lose weight over time. Clinical trial data shows an average weight loss of about 11% over 22 weeks.
The medication is licensed for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above, or a BMI of 27 to 30 with at least one weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or hypertension. It is prescription-only, and experts stress it is not a cosmetic quick fix.
Side effects include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhoea. Doctors caution that long-term effects remain unknown because the drug has not been used widely in the general population. There are also concerns about counterfeit versions being sold online, and about the rigour of online questionnaires used to assess suitability. One survey suggested 30% of patients said their pre-assessment checks had low levels of rigour.
The drug is not yet available on the NHS. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is reviewing its cost-effectiveness. Meanwhile, some patients have warned that the private market is creating a two-tier health system, where only those who can afford the treatment benefit. The company behind Fandeo says having an oral option removes barriers for people who are uncomfortable with injections, and that prices are expected to fall as generics enter the market.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, grouped by how many channels reported each one. Select a dot to see the source excerpt.
| Claim |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Widely reported · 3 or more of 4 channels | ||||
| The drug is a daily pill also designed to treat diabetes. | Reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC One | Reported by Channel 4 | |
| Reported by a few · 2 channels | ||||
| Fandeo is the UK's first once-daily weight loss pill, approved two weeks ago and currently only available privately. | Not reported by BBC One | Reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by ITV | |
| The drug will be on sale in pharmacies and online from Monday. | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by ITV | ||
| The pill is available to people with a BMI of 30, or 27 with a comorbidity such as diabetes. | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by Channel 4 | ||
| Only on one channel | ||||
| A man using Fandeo lost eight stone. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Reported by BBC One | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by ITV |
| A new daily weight loss pill has fewer restrictions than the existing Wegovy pill. | Reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by ITV |
| A new weight-loss pill called Fandao was made by the company that produces Mounjaro. | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by ITV | |
| A researcher reported that 30% of surveyed individuals indicated low levels of rigor in pre-assessment checks. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by ITV | |
| An estimated 1.6 million people in the UK tried weight loss drugs in the past year. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by ITV | |
| Fandao will be available from Monday with an initial price of about £100, which increases over time. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by ITV | |
| Fandeo is licensed for obesity and related diseases, not for cosmetic weight loss. | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by ITV | |
| Fandeo should only be obtained on prescription. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by Channel 4 | |
| Fandeo works by blocking the GLP-1 receptor, slowing gastric emptying and reducing hunger. | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by ITV | |
| Men are more reluctant than women to disclose using weight loss drugs. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Reported by BBC One | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by ITV |
| More adults in the Northeast are obese than anywhere else in the country. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by ITV | |
| Most patients buy weight loss injections privately. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by ITV | |
| Some online providers may grant prescriptions for Fandao after online questionnaires, with checks that may not be rigorous enough. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by ITV | |
| The drug is not yet available on the NHS. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by Channel 4 | |
| The pill is not suitable for everyone and should be used for appropriate patients. | Reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by ITV |
| The pill leads to an average weight loss of 11% over 22 weeks. | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by Channel 4 | Not reported by ITV | |
| The starting cost is around 100 pounds and increases over time. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by ITV | |
| The UK was the first country in Europe to approve the tablet. | Not reported by Channel 5 | Not reported by BBC One | Not reported by Channel 4 | |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
5 News gave detailed expert interviews on the clinical differences between Fandeo and other weight loss drugs, focusing on its chemical composition, efficacy compared to injections, and potential side effects. The channel also highlighted the lack of long-term data.
- “this one is what we describe as a non-peptide. It's a smaller chemical.”
- “for 22 weeks there's an 11% average weight loss.”
- “It was approved by regulators two weeks ago and while it's currently only available through private prescription, it could soon be rolled out on the NHS.”
The BBC segment shifted focus to the social stigma around weight loss drugs, particularly among men, and included a personal story of a man who lost eight stone. It did not discuss Fandeo specifically but used the topic to explore gender differences in uptake.
- “women are much more open about using weight loss drugs.”
- “I do wonder whether there's that shame that actually resorting to something pharmaceutical to assist you is somehow wrong”
ITV Lunchtime News focused on the practical aspects of the pill, including how it works, who can be prescribed it, and the importance of treating it as a serious medication despite being a pill. The interview with a GP stressed that it is not for cosmetic use and warned against black market versions.
- “Needles are a barrier, and they are side effects with any medication”
- “It is prescription only, and that's really important.”
Channel 4 provided a broader investigation into the private market for weight loss drugs, highlighting cost barriers, the risk of online prescriptions, and concerns about a two-tier health system. It included voices of a pharmacist, a patient, and a researcher.
- “Having an oral treatment is really pretty game-changing for patients right now.”
- “we're creating a two-tier health system where we're creating this whole, like, if you can afford your health, you can access it”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.