A GLP-1 medicine for diabetes and obesity, with growing use and scrutiny
Lilly has filed six lawsuits targeting online sellers and clinics marketing retatrutide, a GLP-1 drug still in Phase 3 trials for obesity and diabetes, while US authorities report a surge in illicit shipments. The company says products sold online are unverified and unapproved, and warns of substantial health risks.
The MHRA has authorised orforglipron (Foundayo), a GLP-1 pill, for weight management and type 2 diabetes. It will be available privately with a prescription; NHS adoption will depend on NICE evaluation. The UK follows Europe in authorising an oral GLP-1 pill, with Wegovy already on the market.
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A new weight‑loss pill version of semaglutide has launched in the UK for private prescriptions, offering an alternative to injections. The tablet requires strict dosing and a fasting routine and is not yet NHS‑funded. Several outlets warn about counterfeit pills as access broadens.
The wedding dress market is shifting as GLP-1 weight loss drugs become common among engaged couples. Designers report earlier fittings, changed guarantees, and rising alterations costs. Brides worry about weight loss before weddings, while sales staff push early purchases and flexible guarantees.
Vivani Medical and Novo Nordisk are exploring a long-acting semaglutide implant to maintain weight loss, potentially replacing frequent injections. The device aims to release medicine steadily for months, pending clinical and regulatory validation.
Novo Nordisk has filed a US lawsuit accusing Eli Lilly of false advertising over weight‑loss and diabetes drugs, arguing Lilly used outdated trial data to claim superiority. Lilly defends its campaigns, citing SURMOUNT‑5 results. The case centers on GLP-1 treatments and the race for market dominance, with potential damages and corrective advertising at stake.
Regulators are reviewing a BMJ study linking GLP-1 receptor agonists to a higher risk of alopecia. The study compares hair-loss rates in GLP-1 users against SGLT-2 and DPP-4 inhibitors, with findings suggesting a 37% higher risk versus SGLT-2 and 68% higher versus DPP-4. Hair loss appears non-scarring and potentially reversible, often tied to weight loss and nutritional factors.