Spearheaded by healthcare solutions company Zuellig Pharma, the agreement brings together the Philippine Society for the Study of Overweight and Obesity (PSSOO), the Philippine College of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism (PCEDM), the Philippine Heart Association (PHA), the Institute for Study on Diabetes Foundation Inc. (ISDFI), Diabetes Philippines (DP), and the Alliance of Clinical Endocrinologists Philippines Foundation Inc. (ACE).
The partnership was formalized on Jan.16 during an event titled “UNIFIED: A Collaborative Commitment to Excellence in Obesity and Diabetes Care,” marking a coordinated push for greater clinical urgency, public awareness, and improved patient outcomes.
In a statement, medical leaders said the collaboration reflects growing recognition that obesity and diabetes are chronic diseases requiring comprehensive, evidence-based care rather than isolated or fragmented interventions.
Two key pillars
The partnership highlighted two major developments supporting the advocacy. The first is the launch of a patient-centered digital program aimed at empowering individuals living with obesity and diabetes.
The second is the Philippine Food and Drug Administration’s approval of dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, a newer treatment modality shown to deliver more sustainable clinical outcomes.
Empowering patients
Unveiled during the event was First Move to My Best Me, a patient microsite designed to encourage individuals with obesity to begin their journey toward better health.
The platform is easy to navigate and information-rich, offering medically sound content that emphasizes obesity as a disease rather than a failure of willpower or discipline.
It aims to equip patients with reliable knowledge, motivate them to seek professional care, and support informed decision-making in managing their condition.
Through the microsite, patients are guided on how to take control of their health while being encouraged to consult healthcare professionals for personalized treatment plans.
Evolving treatment options
Medical leaders also cited how diabetes and obesity care has evolved beyond traditional approaches such as lifestyle modification and oral medications, which may have limited long-term efficacy for some patients or those at higher cardiovascular risk.
The approval of dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonists marks a significant advance, with evidence showing benefits not only in blood sugar control but also in weight management and cardiovascular risk reduction.
The societies noted that the Philippines is now aligned with international treatment standards, including the American Diabetes Association’s 2025 Standards of Care.
Promoting safe use
Zuellig Pharma reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the safe, authorized, and compliant use of new treatment options, while helping combat the proliferation of counterfeit and unregulated medications.
The partners jointly warned against illegally compounded drugs sold online and urged the public to seek proper medical advice rather than relying on unverified sources.
Led and supported by Zuellig Pharma, the collaboration aims to advance metabolic care nationwide through stronger public education, responsible innovation, and sustained multi-sector cooperation. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
