In a historic partnership aimed at addressing the growing burden of obesity and type 2 diabetes, the Philippines’ leading medical societies have signed a memorandum of agreement to work as a unified force against the country’s escalating metabolic health crisis, with greater clinical urgency.
Photo: Joachim Schnürle/Unsplash
Spearheaded by Zuellig Pharma, a leading healthcare solutions company, leaders from 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 Studies on Diabetes Foundation Inc. (ISDFI), Diabetes Philippines (DP), and the Alliance of Clinical Endocrinologists Philippines Foundation, Inc. (ACE) came together to formalize their partnership on January 16, 2026, at an event titled “UNIFIED: A Collaborative Commitment to Excellence in Obesity and Diabetes Care.”
Photo: Zuellig Pharma
Also highlighted during the meeting were two cornerstones supporting the advocacy: (1) the timely launch of a patient empowerment program for people living with diabetes and obesity, and (2) the FDA approval of dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonists, a new treatment modality whose efficacy shows better and more sustainable clinical outcomes.
Empowerment through a patient program for people living with obesity
Unveiled during the event was the patient microsite First Move to My Best Me, which encourages persons with obesity to begin their journey toward better health.
Designed to be easily navigable, patient-focused, and information-rich, the platform equips individuals with tools to empower themselves. Notably, it is anchored on the understanding that obesity is a disease, not a failure of willpower or discipline.
First Move to My Best Me provides access to legitimate, medically sound content on how people with obesity can take control of their condition, motivating them to consult healthcare professionals to help achieve their best personal outcomes.
From traditional care to the newest treatment modality
Citing the Philippine FDA’s approval of dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonists, leaders from the country’s leading medical societies highlighted how treatment has evolved—from foundational lifestyle modification and oral medications such as metformin or sulfonylureas, which often show limited efficacy in patients unable to sustain long-term weight loss or achieve tight glycemic control, particularly among high-risk groups.
They also emphasized that diabetes and obesity are diseases that go beyond lifestyle choices alone.
Aligned with global standards of care
All co-signatories underscored that the Philippines is now aligned with international treatment guidelines, citing the American Diabetes Association’s Standards of Care in Diabetes—2025. These guidelines prioritize newer drug modalities for their ability not only to lower blood sugar but also to address weight management and cardiovascular risk factors more effectively than older therapies.
Encouraging safe and compliant use of new solutions
As a co-signatory to the Memorandum of Agreement, Zuellig Pharma reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the societies’ efforts. This includes promoting the safe and authorized use of GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonists and contributing to initiatives to curb the proliferation of counterfeit and underregulated medications.
Emphasizing the dangers posed by online sellers offering illegally compounded versions of these treatments, all co-signatories urged the public to seek medical advice from qualified healthcare professionals when exploring treatment options.
Led and supported by Zuellig Pharma, collaborative initiatives among the participating medical societies aim to advance metabolic care in the Philippines by increasing public awareness and developing innovative, patient-centered solutions.
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