Updated 4 November 2026 · We'll update this page as soon as NICE publishes
The short answer: no, Foundayo (orforglipron) isn't available on the NHS yet. It has been licensed in the UK since August 2026, but only on private prescription. NICE, which decides whether the NHS in England funds new medicines, is still assessing it. Its committee meets for a second time on 10 November 2026, and final guidance is now expected on 27 January 2027. That's later than the 18 November date that was listed earlier.
Compare private Foundayo prices, from £90 a month
Where the NICE decision stands
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 14 July 2026 | First NICE committee meeting on orforglipron for weight management |
| 10 August 2026 | MHRA licenses Foundayo in the UK, the first country in Europe to do so |
| Late August 2026 | Foundayo becomes available on private prescription |
| 10 November 2026 | Second NICE committee meeting |
| 27 January 2027 | NICE guidance expected (previously listed as 18 November 2026) |
Source: NICE project page for orforglipron (ID6516), checked 4 November 2026.
A second committee meeting usually means NICE needed more information or more discussion before reaching a view. That's common for new medicines and doesn't tell us which way the decision will go.
What NICE could decide
NICE has three broad options:
- Recommend it for everyone covered by the licence. That's unlikely for a weight loss medicine, given the numbers of people involved.
- Recommend it with restrictions. This is the most likely outcome if the answer is yes. Both Wegovy and Mounjaro were recommended only for defined groups, such as people with a higher BMI plus weight-related conditions, alongside diet and activity support.
- Not recommend it, if NICE decides it isn't good value at the price Lilly offers the NHS.
If NICE says yes: when could you get it?
Even with a positive decision, NHS prescriptions wouldn't start straight away:
- NICE normally gives the NHS up to 3 months to start funding a recommended medicine. For Mounjaro, NHS England agreed a phased rollout over several years, starting with the people at highest risk.
- Foundayo could follow a similar model, so the most realistic expectation is limited NHS access during 2027, aimed first at people with the highest BMIs and several weight-related conditions.
- It may be prescribed through GPs, like Mounjaro now, or through specialist weight management services. NICE's guidance will set this out.
Our NHS weight loss guide explains who qualifies for Wegovy and Mounjaro on the NHS today.
Who might qualify on the NHS?
NICE hasn't published any criteria for Foundayo yet. Based on how Wegovy and Mounjaro were handled, NHS access is likely to be narrower than the licence. The licence covers adults with a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a weight-related condition. NHS criteria would probably start with a higher BMI threshold plus conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or sleep apnoea, with lower thresholds for some ethnic groups.
If you have type 2 diabetes: Foundayo is also licensed to improve blood sugar control. NICE has said it won't run a separate appraisal for diabetes, because its existing type 2 diabetes guideline already covers GLP-1 medicines as a group. Ask your GP or diabetes team whether it's an option for you.
What about Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
NICE guidance applies in England. Wales and Northern Ireland usually follow it. Scotland makes its own decisions through the Scottish Medicines Consortium, so timings there can differ.
Is the Wegovy pill on the NHS?
No. The Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide) has been licensed since June 2026, but it isn't available on the NHS and there's no NICE appraisal date for it. When it was licensed, NICE said Novo Nordisk hadn't yet submitted it for assessment. See Wegovy pill vs Foundayo.
Your options while you wait
1. Go private now. Foundayo is available from regulated UK online pharmacies and clinics:
- IQ Doctor: from £90 a month (0.8mg)
- Cuva Health: £94.99 a month from 0.8mg to 9mg (currently listed as pre-order)
- Medino: from £94.99 a month
- Boots Online Doctor and Superdrug Online Doctor: from £99 a month
See Foundayo prices at every dose.
2. Check whether you already qualify for an NHS jab. Mounjaro is available through some GPs for people with the highest BMIs and several qualifying conditions, and Wegovy through specialist weight management services.
3. Ask your GP to keep you in mind. If you think you'd meet the likely criteria, it's worth raising it now so your weight and health conditions are up to date in your records.
Keep reading
- Foundayo side effects: what to expect
- Weight loss pill prices UK: every dose
- Can you get Wegovy on the NHS?
- New weight loss drugs coming to the UK
Compare today's prices: Weight loss pills · Wegovy · Mounjaro
Frequently asked questions
Can I get Foundayo on the NHS?
Not yet. It's only available on private prescription while NICE completes its appraisal.
When will NICE decide on Foundayo?
NICE's committee meets again on 10 November 2026, and its guidance is currently expected on 27 January 2027. Dates can change.
Will Foundayo be cheaper on the NHS?
If NICE recommends it, NHS patients in England would pay the standard prescription charge (£9.90 per item). Prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and for people who are exempt.
Who will get Foundayo on the NHS?
NICE hasn't set criteria yet. It's likely to start with people who have a high BMI and several weight-related health conditions, as with Mounjaro.
Is the Wegovy pill on the NHS?
No, and there's no NICE appraisal date for it yet.
This article is for information only and is not medical advice. CompareTheJab is an independent comparison website, not a pharmacy or medical service. Always speak to a qualified prescriber before starting, stopping or switching any medicine.
Prices were checked on each provider's own website on 3 November 2026 and change often. Always confirm the price at checkout. Some links on this page are affiliate links, which never affect how we rank providers. Read our affiliate policy and how we compare providers.
