Orforglipron: Cheaper, just as effective Ozempic-style pill set to take on fat jabs next year

Easier to take, just as effective and far cheaper than fat jab rivals such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, a promising new pill is set to shake up the lucrative weight loss medication market next year.

Taken as a once-daily pill, orforglipron works in a similar way to its blockbuster predecessors by mimicking glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a natural hormone that plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar and appetite.

Studies have shown it reduces body weight by 12.4 per cent among adults who are obese or overweight without diabetes.

For those with obesity and Type 2 diabetes it delivered an average 10.4 kg weight-loss plus significantly improved blood sugar control.

Orforglipron is expected to be available in the US in 2026 at a significantly decreased cost, with a submission by maker Eli Lilly for approval due to be delivered to Australia’s medicines watchdog within weeks.

Safety-wise the drug is fairly similar to fat jabs already on the market, with gastrointestinal issues the main side effect but it also comes without the skin irritation that can be associated with the once a week injections required for drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro.

Cheaper and easier to manufacture and distribute than fat jabs, the pill is expected to cost consumers less than the budget-busting $400 a month some Aussies are forking out for expensive fat jabs.

‘Treatment for all’

Deborah Horn, director of obesity medicine at UTHealth Houston and principal author of the ATTAIN-2 study into the effectiveness of orforglipron, said the drug was “exciting”.

“The opportunity for an oral GLP-1 medication with highly effective weight loss that is simpler to take may provide increased access and opportunities for better health for our patients with obesity and diabetes,” she said.

“We know it is harder for individuals with diabetes to lose weight. It is exciting to have an oral medication that provides double-digit weight loss, which on average was 23 lbs (10.4kgs).

“Once FDA approved, the drug is scheduled to be available in 2026 at a significantly decreased cost compared to current injectables.

“This could position it to be the ‘metformin’ (a treatment for high blood sugar) of obesity and become widely covered by insurance plans, opening the door to treatment for all,” Professor Horn said.

An Eli Lilly spokesperson said the company was making substantial global investments to meet anticipated demand for the drug at launch.

While they could not confirm when the drug would be available in Australia, or how much it might cost, the spokesperson said a submission to secure regulatory approval of orforglipron for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and for the management of obesity and overweight would be made to the Therapeutic Goods Administration before the end of 2025.

“Clinically meaningful findings from the orforglipron ATTAIN and ACHIEVE clinical trial programs form the basis of this regulatory submission,” the spokesperson said.

“While unable to comment on when orforglipron may be prescribed to Australian patients, we are committed to working constructively with the Federal Government to ensure that Australians can access the most effective medicines to manage chronic cardiometabolic conditions.

“Lilly also notes the urgent need for reform of Health Technology Assessment in Australia to support more timely and equitable access to innovative medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.”

On Monday night, the World Health Organization issued its first global guideline on the use of GLP-1 medicines for treating obesity, emphasising the importance of fair access or risk exacerbating existing health disparities.

It called for urgent action on manufacturing, affordability, and system readiness to meet global needs.

TGA warning on fat jabs

The move came just hours after the TGA issued an urgent caution about weight loss drugs including Ozempic and Mounjaro and the potential risk for users to develop suicidal thoughts.

The areas of concern regarding psychiatric behaviour came with product warnings for the drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity including:

• Ozempic (semaglutide)
• Wegovy (semaglutide)
• Saxenda (liraglutide)
• Trulicity (dulaglutide)
• Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

In regards to Mounjaro, the TGA said there was also potential for reduced effectiveness of contraception.

“Our investigation into the potential for reduced effectiveness of oral contraception when first taking or increasing the dose of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) has found that this association could not be ruled out,” the statement read.

“As a precautionary measure, the product warnings for tirzepatide have been updated to include further advice for patients using oral contraceptives.