'This could help those with modest obesity'

Daily pill 'cheaper than jabs' and no need for fasting

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easier to mass produce than injections if approved. It also cuts blood sugar and slows digestion.

Drug maker Eli Lilly yesterday said it will apply for approval around the world, including from the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, by the end of this year.

Dr Naveed Sattar, an expert in cardiometabolic medicine and honorary consultant at the University of Glasgow, who was not involved with the trial, called the findings “exciting”.

He added: “An oral GLP-1RA tablet that helps many achieve more than 10% weight loss on average could help many people living with modest obesity.

“This tablet can be taken anytime and does not require to be taken when fasting unlike some of its competitors. That the cost should be significantly lower than with injectable medicines is also significant, as higher cost causes many people to only take the medicine for a shorter period.”

More details will be given next month at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting, in Vienna.