A new pill could soon offer an alternative to the needle for thousands of Kenyans managing obesity and type 2 diabetes. Pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly revealed on Thursday that its experimental daily tablet, orforglipron, successfully helped patients keep off weight they had previously lost using powerful injectable drugs.

This development is significant for Kenya, where non-communicable diseases are a rising threat. With obesity affecting roughly one in ten Kenyans and central obesity impacting over a third of the population, the need for more accessible and convenient long-term treatments is critical. Injectable drugs like Ozempic are available but can be costly and cumbersome for daily life.

A New Strategy for Weight Management

The latest study, named ATTAIN-MAINTAIN, tested orforglipron not as an initial weight-loss tool, but as a maintenance therapy. Participants who had already lost significant weight over 72 weeks with injectable medicines like Wegovy or Zepbound were switched to the daily pill.

The results showed that those who took orforglipron largely maintained their weight loss over the following year, whereas those on a placebo regained significant weight. This positions the pill as a crucial follow-up treatment, addressing the common challenge of weight regain after stopping GLP-1 injections.

• For Wegovy users: Patients switching to orforglipron saw a minimal average weight change of just 0.9 kg after one year.
• For Zepbound users: Those who switched to the pill from Zepbound regained an average of 5.0 kg, but this was still far less than the placebo group.
• Convenience Factor: Unlike some existing oral treatments, orforglipron can be taken at any time, with or without food, simplifying the daily routine for patients.

The Kenyan Context: A Growing Need

In Kenya, the burden of diseases linked to obesity is growing. Studies show a strong association between excess weight and conditions like hypertension and dyslipidemia. Furthermore, approximately 4.5% of the population lives with diabetes, a figure that is higher in urban centres like Nairobi. For many, the high cost of injectable treatments, which can be as much as KES 50,000 per shot, is a major barrier to care.

While the price of orforglipron has not been set, oral medications are often cheaper to produce and distribute than injectables. This could make it a more sustainable option for the Kenyan healthcare system and for patients managing their weight as a chronic condition. The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has previously issued warnings about the misuse of injectable weight-loss drugs, highlighting the need for properly managed and accessible alternatives.

What Lies Ahead

Eli Lilly has already submitted orforglipron for approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with a decision possible within weeks. If approved, it would join a competitive market for obesity treatments. While analysts note that orforglipron may be less potent for initial, rapid weight loss compared to top-tier injections, its strength lies in convenience and long-term maintenance.

As Kenneth Custer, an executive at Lilly, noted, "Sustaining weight loss remains a significant challenge for many." For Kenyans battling the chronic disease of obesity, a simple, effective daily pill could represent not just a medical breakthrough, but a more manageable path to long-term health.