Philippines Steps Up Diabetes Fight with Watsons & DPI Partnership

Watsons Philippines has entered into an alliance with Diabetes Philippines, Inc. (DPI) to address the country's rising burden of diabetes through early detection, enhanced access to treatment, and prevention of disease at the community level. The partnership was cemented through a Memorandum of Agreement signing at Lanson Place Mall of Asia and represents a significant milestone towards a more accessible and effective diabetes management among Filipinos.

Joeweeh Liao, Director of Health Business Unit of Watsons said, “At Watsons, we are highly passionate about making healthcare more accessible and effective. This cooperation with Diabetes Philippines Inc. puts us a step closer to making quality, accessible care, especially in diabetes management, a reality for more Filipinos.”

Key Highlights-

• Watsons Philippines partners with Diabetes Philippines, Inc. to improve early detection, treatment access, and prevention of diabetes nationwide
• Pharmacists to be trained by DPI experts, becoming frontline healthcare providers for screening, education, and medication adherence
• Launched during National Diabetes Awareness Month, the initiative targets over 4.7 million Filipinos affected by diabetes

The program will have Watsons pharmacists trained by DPI professionals and become frontline healthcare partners that can aid early screening, patient counseling, and drug compliance. This is also fitting with Watsons' wider vision of being a one-stop shop for health and wellness assistance.

"With this partnership, we want to make every Watsons store a healthy partner, a venue that people can go to for trusted guidance, early screening, and continuous support," Liao added.

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DPI President Dr. Fatma Tiu highlighted the need for education and early intervention: "We believe this alliance brings important awareness and tools to the public by empowering pharmacists, usually the first point of contact to assist in management and prevention of complications."

With diabetes affecting approximately 7.5 percent of the adult population in the Philippines, around 4.7 million people, this initiative comes at a critical time. The partnership was launched during National Diabetes Awareness Month this July.

Ma. Corina Marte, Director for People and Organization Development “Through this initiative, we’re helping our pharmacy teams gain a deeper sense of purpose. They’re not just dispensing medicine, they’re helping people live longer, healthier lives.”