FDA grants speedy approval to Eli Lilly's weight-loss pill for obesity

The FDA approved Eli Lilly's weight-loss pill on Wednesday, making it the second daily oral medication available in the U.S. for obesity treatment. The drug joins a growing class of weight-loss medications that have become increasingly popular in recent years, though most approved options—including semaglutide and tirzepatide—were originally developed as diabetes treatments. This approval expands patient options beyond injectable medications that currently dominate the weight-loss market, potentially reaching people who prefer oral over injection-based therapy. The decision reflects rising demand for obesity treatments as metabolic drugs gain mainstream attention and insurance coverage improves. Patients are expected to gain access to Eli Lilly's medication in the coming weeks.