Qatar MOPH approves Lilly’s oral GLP-1 treatment for
obesity
(DOHA) - Qatar’s
Ministry of Public Health
(MOPH) has approved
Eli Lilly’s once-daily
oral GLP-1 receptor agonist
for chronic weight
management, making it the
first oral GLP-1 treatment
approved for obesity in the
country, according to the
company.
Qatar is the
sixth market globally to
approve the treatment.
The approval covers
adults with obesity and
adults who are overweight
with at least one
weight-related comorbid
condition. The once-daily
oral formulation provides an
alternative to injectable
GLP-1 treatments for chronic
weight management.
The decision comes as Qatar
implements its National
Health Strategy 2024–2030,
which identifies
noncommunicable diseases and
obesity as important public
health challenges. Improving
population health and
wellbeing is one of the
strategy’s three priority
areas, alongside efforts to
promote innovation within
the healthcare system.
“Qatar becoming the
sixth country globally to
approve this treatment
places it among the earliest
markets to take this step in
obesity care,” said
Tayllit Aherdan, General
Manager, Eli Lilly Gulf.
“Obesity is a chronic
disease, and there is no
single approach that will be
right for every person.”
Lilly also reiterated
warnings about falsified
medicines, advising patients
to obtain prescription
medicines through licensed
pharmacies and under the
guidance of qualified
healthcare professionals.
The company cautioned that
medicines obtained through
unauthorized online sellers
or social media platforms
may be counterfeit or
otherwise unsafe.
