Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

Danish pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk launches its science-based prescription for obesity on Friday during its “Live Lighter” campaign held in Makati | Chalssea Echegoyen

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MANILA — Danish pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk launched its science-based prescription for obesity on Friday during its “Live Lighter” campaign held in Makati.Unveiled during the event, the movement calls for a shift from viewing obesity as a lifestyle issue to recognizing it as a chronic and complex disease influenced by biology, environment, and other factors.“For almost 30 years, we have studied obesity not as a lifestyle issue, but as a chronic disease,” said Wei Sun, general manager of Novo Nordisk Philippines. “Today is not just about introducing a new treatment option. It is about changing how a country understands obesity.”Central to the campaign is the rollout of a prescription medication based on semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that works by regulating appetite, energy intake, and metabolic processes.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/7/11/the-hidden-cost-of-obesity-ph-risks-losing-its-workforce-before-it-grows-up-1445">The hidden cost of obesity: PH risks losing its workforce before it grows up </a></div>The treatment represents a shift toward medically guided care, particularly for patients who have struggled to achieve sustained weight loss through diet and exercise alone.Dr. Christiana Vida Montefalcon, head of clinical and regulatory affairs at Novo Nordisk Philippines, emphasized that obesity often requires long-term management.“Advancements like these are changing the way we approach obesity care,” she said. “They allow us to address the biological drivers of the disease, giving patients a more realistic and sustainable path toward better health.”She added that treatment should go beyond weight loss and focus on overall health outcomes, including reducing risks for related conditions.The initiative comes as obesity continues to drive cases of non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers in the country.According to findings from the EpiCOb-PH study cited during the launch, obesity cost the Philippine economy around P1.9 trillion in 2025 — equivalent to 7.3% of gross domestic product — with projections rising further when overweight-related conditions are included.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2026/1/24/-for-2-pm-what-is-diabesity-and-why-do-doctors-worry-about-drugs-proliferating-in-social-media-1400">What is &#x27;diabesity,&#x27; and why do doctors worry about drugs proliferating in social media? </a></div>Health experts say stigma and misconceptions remain major barriers to care, often preventing individuals from seeking medical help.“Treating obesity as a disease changes everything, from how patients are supported to how healthcare systems respond,” Montefalcon said.Anand Shetty, vice president for Novo Nordisk Business Area Southeast Asia, said addressing obesity requires coordinated action across sectors.“Addressing obesity requires more than awareness. It requires a shift in mindset across healthcare, policy, and society,” he said.The campaign also highlighted the importance of medical guidance, warning against misinformation and unregulated or counterfeit treatments circulating online.<div> </div><div>NOT A STANDALONE SOLUTION</div>While the newly introduced therapy offers a promising option, experts stress it is not a standalone solution and should be used alongside lifestyle changes such as proper diet and physical activity.Novo Nordisk said improving access and affordability remains a priority as the treatment becomes available in the country.“Because when we treat obesity right, we change lives,” Sun said.

Danish pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk launched its science-based prescription for obesity on Friday during its “Live Lighter” campaign held in Makati.

Danish pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk launched its science-based prescription for obesity on Friday during its “Live Lighter” campaign held in Makati.

Novo Nordisk launches ‘Live Lighter,’ introduces new obesity treatment in PH

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Novo Nordisk launches ‘Live Lighter,’ introduces new obesity treatment in PH

Chalssea Kate Echegoyen,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 25, 2026 02:58 PM PHT

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Obesity

Live Lighter

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