A growing obesity crisis in the Philippines is now raising concerns far beyond public health. The problem is increasingly seen as a threat to the country’s economy and workforce productivity, Sunstar reports.
Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk is stepping up its efforts in the country through a new “Live Lighter” campaign aimed at improving awareness and access to obesity and diabetes care.
The company has partnered with Cebu-based Rose Pharmacy to expand screening services across the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Selected pharmacy branches will offer obesity and diabetes screening to help detect chronic diseases earlier.
“We are not going to be able to address it alone. We have to work with partners,” said Wei Sun, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Philippines.
According to Novo Nordisk, more than 30 million Filipinos are affected by obesity. Health experts warn that the rise in weight-related diseases is increasing healthcare costs, reducing productivity, and contributing to absenteeism.
A recent study estimated that obesity cost the Philippine economy around P1.9 trillion in 2025, equal to 7.3 percent of the country’s GDP.
Rose Pharmacy said many Filipinos still rely on self-medication and delay professional treatment because of limited healthcare access outside major cities.
The partnership is part of Novo Nordisk’s broader push to bring science-based healthcare solutions closer to communities in the provinces.
