BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)

Medical experts say the UAE's approval of a new oral obesity treatment reflects a major shift in how obesity is being addressed globally, from a lifestyle issue to a chronic disease requiring long-term medical care, early intervention and faster access to innovative therapies.

The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) approved the oral obesity treatment Foundayo (orforglipron), making the UAE the second country in the world to authorise the drug.

The once-daily oral treatment is intended for chronic weight management and represents a new category of obesity therapies that do not require injections. The approval comes as obesity rates continue to rise around the world.

A global study published in The Lancet highlighted obesity as one of the fastest-growing long-term public health challenges worldwide, linked to rising rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other chronic illnesses.

UAE's Regulatory Agility and Innovation Ecosystem
Speaking to Aletihad, Dr Manish Madnani, Head of Surgical Division, Specialist Gastrointestinal Surgeon, NMC Specialty Hospital, Dubai, said the UAE becoming one of the first countries to approve the treatment sends a strong signal about the country's healthcare and pharmaceutical innovation ecosystem.

"It reflects a deliberate strategy to build a healthcare system that does not wait for the rest of the world to catch up," he noted. According to Dr Madnani, fast regulatory approvals without compromising safety standards strengthen the UAE's position as a serious global healthcare and pharmaceutical partner.

"When regulators prioritise speed without cutting corners on safety, it tells global pharmaceutical companies that the UAE is a serious partner, that reputation attracts more innovation and ultimately better options for patients," he explained.

Dr Adel Ahmad Elnaggar, Consultant Endocrinology and Obesity Management at Medcare Hospital Sharjah, similarly said the approval reflects the UAE's regulatory agility and willingness to adopt high-impact therapies quickly for the benefit of patients.

Both experts stressed that recognising obesity as a chronic disease represents one of the most important changes in modern obesity management.

"For a long time, obesity was treated as a lifestyle choice. Recognising it as a chronic disease changes everything," Dr Madnani explained.

According to him, this shift affects how doctors approach treatment, how healthcare systems allocate resources and how patients view themselves.

"Patients now deserve the same structured, long-term medical support we give to people with diabetes or hypertension. People are far more likely to seek help when they are not being judged," Dr Madnani added.

Dr Elnaggar also emphasised that recognising obesity as a chronic condition helps move the discussion away from blame and towards proper medical support, reducing stigma and encouraging earlier intervention, regular follow-up, and personalised treatment plans.

Convenience of a Once-daily Pill
The newly approved treatment also marks a significant development because it is taken orally rather than through injections, which experts say could improve long-term patient adherence.

"The key difference is convenience. Foundayo is a once-daily pill while existing GLP-1 treatments require injections, which many patients struggle to sustain," Dr Madnani said.

He noted that some patients fear needles while others find long-term self-injection routines difficult to maintain. Dr Elnaggar said oral treatments may feel less intimidating and easier for many patients to incorporate into their daily lives.

Multidisciplinary Approach
At the same time, both doctors stressed that medication alone is not a standalone solution to obesity. "Medication is becoming a much bigger part of the picture, but not the entire picture, it works best combined with diet, physical activity and behavioural support," Dr Madnani said.

He compared obesity treatment to managing blood pressure, where medication forms part of a broader long-term management strategy.

"The pill is part of the solution, not a replacement for everything else," he said.

Dr Elnaggar similarly stressed that long-term success depends on a multidisciplinary approach combining medication, lifestyle changes, nutrition, exercise, behavioural support and regular medical follow-up.

"Medication can help support progress, but long-term success depends on a comprehensive and personalised care plan," he explained.

The experts also emphasised the importance of giving patients early access to innovative therapies before obesity-related complications develop further.

"Obesity is linked to more than 200 diseases, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension and at least 13 types of cancer, Dr Madnani said, noting that without effective treatment in time, complications can develop or worsen.

Dr Elnaggar also noted that earlier intervention significantly improves disease control, quality of life and long-term health outcomes. He added that early treatment also reduces the long-term burden on healthcare systems while helping patients make sustainable lifestyle changes before complications become more severe.

Health and Economic Benefits of Obesity Intervention
A recent UAE report titled "Beneath the Surface: The Hidden Socioeconomic Impacts of Weight Loss" highlighted that innovative interventions could help more than 1.2 million adults overcome obesity, contribute $51 billion to GDP by 2031, and save $1.5 billion in health care costs.

The report, launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, revealed that innovative interventions could help more than 1.2 million adults in the UAE move out of obesity by 2031.

Obesity prevalence could fall by 15 percentage points, unlocking up to $1.5 billion in cumulative healthcare savings, and adding $51 billion to GDP in 2031 alone.

Accelerated obesity interventions could lead to an estimated 75,000 additional births by 2031, including 24,000 Emiratis, while more than 17,000 additional individuals could join the workforce, including over 9,000 Emirati women, according to the report. This reinforces the link between public health, workforce participation, and long-term demographic sustainability.

UAE: A Centre for Medical Excellence
Dr Madnani and Dr Elnaggar further stressed that fast-tracking innovative therapies strengthens the UAE's position as a regional healthcare leader.

According to Dr Madnani, earlier adoption benefits patients, clinicians and the country's wider healthcare ecosystem.

Dr Elnaggar added that the UAE's approach enhances its reputation as a centre for medical excellence and innovation while attracting global partnerships and investment. "It demonstrates the country's ability to rapidly adopt cutting-edge treatments and make them available to patients sooner than in many other markets," he said.