Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare business with over 100 years of scientific leadership in obesity and diabetes care, is reinforcing its commitment to developing care for obese individuals in the Philippines, as a new generation of therapies is about to reach Filipino patients.
At the heart of this progress are glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, a type of medication that mimics a natural hormone in the body that helps regulate hunger and blood sugar. These treatments help people feel fuller for longer, lower cravings, and better manage their appetites, all while improving blood sugar management for diabetics.
This twofold advantage represents a fundamental shift in how obesity and related disorders are viewed—not as willpower issues, but as chronic diseases requiring medical attention.
The emergence of GLP-1-based therapy has been one of the most significant advances in metabolic health in recent years. Over time, these drugs have exhibited significant and sustained weight loss outcomes in clinical tests, bringing obesity treatment closer to the success of surgical procedures, albeit in a less intrusive form.
According to the National Library of Medicine, GLP-1 RA medicines have revolutionized weight loss, reducing body weight in obese patients by 15% to 25% on average after a year. Their mechanism of action is to mimic endogenous GLP-1, an intestinal hormone that controls glucose metabolism and satiety.
This evolution reflects decades of research into the biology of hunger, hormones, and weight regulation, culminating in therapies that address the root causes of obesity.
“We are entering a new era in obesity care in the country. One that is grounded in science, compassion, and long-term solutions. For many years, people living with obesity have been left with limited options and significant stigma. Today, with advancements in treatments that work with the body’s natural systems, we could transform outcomes for patients across the Philippines. Patient safety must always come first. We strongly advise against the use of unapproved or compounded alternatives that bypass strict regulatory processes. These products may pose serious health risks and do not offer the same assurance of safety and effectiveness as approved medicines.” ~Wei Sun, general manager of Novo Nordisk Philippines
Patient safety
As these advances become more widely available, Novo Nordisk underlines the need of patient safety and appropriate medical care. The company encourages patients to consult with trained healthcare professionals and only utilize licensed, controlled medications.
With the expanding global demand for weight management medicines, compounded or unregulated versions have emerged, which may not fulfill the same quality, safety, and efficacy criteria.
Novo Nordisk's initiatives in the Philippines go beyond treatment access, concentrating on raising awareness of obesity as a chronic disease, providing healthcare professionals with up-to-date medical education, and collaborating to increase access to safe, evidence-based care.
About Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark and has been existing in the Philippines for more than 25 years. Our purpose is to drive change in defeating serious chronic diseases built upon our heritage in diabetes. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines, and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. Novo Nordisk employs about 76,300 people in 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries. For more information, visit Novo Nordisk Philippines, Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn and YouTube.
