In a medical move that reinforces its position among countries at the forefront of adopting modern therapeutic innovations, the Emirates Drug Establishment announced on Friday, November 6, 2026, the approval of the drug "Fundayo," scientifically known as "Orforglipron," for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes. This makes the UAE the third country in the world to grant approval for the use of this medication for this purpose.
The decision marks a significant development in managing one of the most prevalent chronic diseases. Notably, the new treatment, developed by the American company "Eli Lilly," comes in the form of tablets taken once daily, without the requirement of fasting or adhering to specific times for food and water intake, providing an oral therapeutic option that may facilitate treatment adherence for some patients.
"Fundayo" works by activating GLP-1 hormone receptors, which contribute to regulating blood sugar levels and controlling appetite, thereby helping to improve health indicators associated with diabetes and weight gain. The UAE had previously approved the drug for weight management last April, before expanding its scope to include the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Clinical study results underscore the importance of this development. Data announced by the manufacturer in September 2026, as part of the "ACHIEVE-4" trial, revealed a decrease in the average HbA1c levels among participants who took the drug by 1.6 percentage points over 52 weeks. Additionally, there was a reduction in average body weight by 8.8% in a trial involving adults with diabetes and overweight or obesity, who were at high risk for cardiovascular complications.
Despite the encouraging results, the drug does not represent a definitive cure for diabetes and is not necessarily suitable for all patients. It may also cause digestive disturbances, most notably nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which makes its use dependent on medical evaluation and regular follow-up.
This approval reflects a UAE trend toward accelerating patient access to innovative medicines and expanding available therapeutic alternatives to combat chronic diseases, at a time when global medical research is moving toward developing treatments that combine effective blood sugar control with ease of use and assistance in weight management.
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