China Approves First Oral GLP-1 Weight-Loss Pill

China has approved its first oral GLP-1 medication for weight management, granting United States pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly clearance to market its orforglipron pill in the country.

The National Medical Products Administration announced on Thursday that the once-daily medication, sold under the brand name Muyouda, can be used by adults who are overweight or obese and have at least one related health condition.

GLP-1 drugs work by mimicking a natural hormone in the gut that helps regulate blood sugar and reduce appetite. 

Their popularity has grown in recent years, prompting pharmaceutical companies to develop tablet versions as alternatives to injectable treatments.

The approval gives Eli Lilly an early lead over competitors in China’s market for oral weight-loss medication. Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk, which produces Wegovy, is also seeking to expand its presence in the market.

GLP-1 injections from Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and China’s Innovent Biologics are already available in the country. Lilly’s orforglipron pill was approved in the United States in April.

Demand for weight-management treatments in China is expected to rise as obesity rates increase.

A 2025 study published in The Lancet projected that the number of overweight or obese adults in the country could reach 630 million by 2050.

China’s National Health Commission has also warned that more than 65 per cent of the population could be overweight or obese by 2030.