Insider Spotlight
A growing class of anti-obesity drugs led by semaglutide is gaining ground as healthcare providers move beyond diet-and-exercise approaches toward medically guided care.
Semaglutide, also known as the brand name Wegovy®, marketed for obesity treatment, is a once-weekly prescription therapy for adults with obesity or those who are overweight with related conditions. It works by mimicking a natural hormone that regulates appetite, helping patients feel fuller and consume fewer calories.
“For almost 30 years, we have studied obesity not as a lifestyle issue, but as a chronic disease. Today is not just about introducing a new treatment option. It is about changing how a country understands obesity,” Wei Sun, general manager of Novo Nordisk Philippines, said during the media launch.
The big picture
Obesity is increasingly recognized as a chronic disease tied to costly conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer—illnesses that drive health-care spending and productivity losses.
Recent findings from the Epidemiological Burden and Cost of Obesity in the Philippines study underscore the scale of the impact. The study estimates obesity cost the Philippine economy approximately P1.9 trillion in 2025, equivalent to 7.3 percent of GDP, and could reach up to P2.7 trillion when overweight-related conditions are included.
Those losses reflect not only direct medical expenses but also indirect costs such as reduced workforce productivity, absenteeism, and premature mortality.
Why it matters
The mounting economic burden is accelerating demand for more effective interventions like semaglutide, particularly as traditional weight management strategies have shown limited long-term success.
Clinical trials show patients using semaglutide alongside lifestyle changes achieved about 15 percent average weight loss over roughly 68 weeks, positioning it as one of the most effective nonsurgical treatments available.
“Advancements like these are changing the way we approach obesity care,” said Dr. Christiana Vida Montefalcon, head of clinical, medical, regulatory and pharmacovigilance of Novo Nordisk Philippines. “They allow us to address the biological drivers of the disease, giving patients a more realistic and sustainable path toward better health,” she added.
Between the lines
Despite its promise, semaglutide is not a quick fix. Weight loss is gradual, and patients may regain weight after stopping treatment, reinforcing the chronic nature of obesity and the likelihood of long-term therapy.
What to watch
As economic losses mount, attention is shifting toward prevention, early intervention, and expanding access to effective treatments—factors that will shape how the Philippines manages one of its most costly and persistent public health challenges. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
