New Daily Pill for Obesity Poised for Israeli Launch Post-Rosh Hashanah

A new daily oral medication for obesity, named Foundayo (orforglipron), is expected to become available in Israel starting September 15, following the Rosh Hashanah holiday. Israel will be the fourth country globally to commercially market the drug, which offers a convenient alternative to injectable treatments. The pill can be taken daily without regard to food or drink and does not require refrigeration, simplifying its use. It will be available in six different dosages, with higher doses potentially costing up to 1,146 shekels per month.

Clinical trials indicate significant weight loss, with participants on the highest dose losing an average of 12.4% of their body weight, approximately 12.4 kilograms. The medication is intended for adults with obesity or overweight individuals with at least one weight-related medical condition, to be used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. Beyond weight reduction, studies showed improvements in waist circumference, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure. In patients with type 2 diabetes, the drug also demonstrated benefits in blood sugar control.

Dr. Raz Haguel, Director of the Medical Center for Obesity Treatment, highlighted the importance of expanding treatment options for chronic obesity, emphasizing that different individuals may prefer pills over injections and that more choices allow for better treatment personalization. While effective, the drug may cause gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, particularly at the start of treatment. Approximately 10.6% of participants in clinical trials discontinued the medication due to these side effects. The drug has already received approval in the United States and the United Kingdom and is available in the UAE. Its submission for approval by the Israeli Ministry of Health and inclusion in the national health basket is pending.