Edited Press Release
Global healthcare company Novo Nordisk has introduced a new prescription therapy that treats obesity in the Philippines. During a media launch on April 24 in Makati City, Wegovy® was unveiled as an innovative prescription therapy designed to support long-term weight management by addressing underlying biological factors.
Novo Nordisk said the new therapy is based on semaglutide, a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist that works with the body in helping regulate appetite, energy intake, and metabolic processes. It targets the underlying mechanisms of obesity, making it part of a class of treatments that shift towards a more holistic and medically guided care.
The healthcare company reiterated that the new therapy is an “innovative and science-based treatment option that goes beyond traditional practices.”
“Advancements like these are changing the way we approach obesity care,” said Dr. Christiana Vida Montefalcon, Head of Clinical Medical, Regulatory & Pharmacovigilance of Novo Nordisk Philippines. “They allow us to address he biological drivers of the disease, giving patients a more realistic and sustainable path toward better health.”
“This is not just about weight loss. It is about the overall health and condition of people living with obesity,” she said, underscoring that for numerous patients, obesity is not just a matter of diet and exercise but also a chronic disease that could require long-term health management and medical treatment.
Live Lighter movement
At the same time, Novo Nordisk Philippines launched a multi-sector initiative that is aimed at transforming both public understanding and access to care. Live Lighter movement calls for a shift in perspective from viewing obesity as a matter of personal responsibility to recognizing it as a chronic, complex disease influenced by biology, environment, and other underlying factors.
“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,” said Wei Sun, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Philippines. “Through Live Lighter, we aim to help Filipinos treat obesity right—with science, compassion, and with the support they deserve.”
“Live Lighter is more than a campaign. It is a commitment to change the way obesity is understood and managed in the Philippines. By bringing science based care, including innovative treatments, closer to patients, we hope to empower more Filipinos to take control of their health in a sustainable and medically guided way,” she added.
A growing public health priority
The initiative comes at a time when obesity is increasingly recognized as a major contributor to non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers—placing a growing burden on individuals, families, and the healthcare system.
Recent findings from the Epidemiological Burden and Cost of Obesity in the Philippines (EpiCOb-PH) study highlight the scale of the challenge, estimating that obesity cost the Philippine economy approximately Php 1.9 trillion in 2025—equivalent to 7.3% of GDP—and could reach up to Php 2.7 trillion when overweight-related conditions are included.
As awareness grows, so does the urgency to address obesity through a more structured, science-based approach that integrates prevention, early intervention, and long-term care.
Collective action
Beyond treatment, the movement underscores the need for collective action across sectors to address obesity more effectively—from improving public understanding and reducing stigma to strengthening healthcare systems and expanding access to care.
“Addressing obesity requires more than awareness. It requires a shift in mindset across healthcare, policy, and society,” said Anand Shetty, vice president for Novo Nordisk Business Area Southeast Asia. “With Live Lighter, we are working to move from stigma to science, and from fragmented efforts to a more coordinated, patient-centered approach to care.”
The launch also highlighted the role of global partnerships in advancing local health priorities, reinforcing how shared expertise and innovation can help bring evidence-based care closer to patients.
As the Live Lighter movement gains momentum, Novo Nordisk aims to spark a broader national conversation—one that recognizes obesity not as a personal failure, but as a serious, treatable disease.
“Because when we treat obesity right, we change lives, not just for individuals, but for families and communities,” Wei Sun continued. “That is the impact we hope to achieve through Live Lighter movement.”
