A groundbreaking study published in The Lancet reveals that a new oral weight loss medication, orforglipron, developed by Eli Lilly, could revolutionize obesity treatment. Unlike current injectable GLP-1 agonists such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, this daily pill offers a more convenient and cost-effective alternative. The study, involving over 1,500 adults across 10 countries with obesity and type 2 diabetes, demonstrated that participants taking the highest dose of 36 milligrams lost approximately 10% of their body weight over 72 weeks, compared to just 2% in the placebo group. This aligns with earlier findings showing similar weight loss in non-diabetic individuals. However, the pill’s efficacy still falls short of the 22% weight loss achieved with injectable Mounjaro. Common side effects included nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea, particularly at higher doses. Lead author Deborah Horn of UTHealth Houston emphasized the potential of this oral medication, which could be available by 2026 at a significantly reduced cost. Injectable GLP-1s currently cost over $1,000 monthly in the U.S., prompting calls for affordable generic versions in low-income countries. Obesity-related illnesses claimed over 3.7 million lives globally in 2021, surpassing deaths from malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV combined. GLP-1 drugs, initially developed for diabetes, are now being explored for their potential to address a broader range of health issues, including heart disease and addiction.