As the Philippines faces a growing diabetes burden, leading health, beauty, and wellness retailer Watsons Philippines and Diabetes Philippines Inc. (DPI) have joined forces to bring proactive care, early detection, and patient empowerment to the forefront of everyday healthcare, beginning with community pharmacies.
“This partnership brings us closer to making care for chronic conditions like diabetes more accessible,” said Joeweeh Liao, director of the Health Business Unit, Finance, and Property Development at Watsons Philippines. “We want every Watsons store to be a health partner—offering advice, early screening, and continued support.”
The collaboration was formalized on July 1 through a Memorandum of Agreement. Watsons pharmacists will receive training from Diabetes Philippines to strengthen their role in diabetes care and prevention.
“This partnership is a strategic move to reach more individuals and families with the support they need to manage and prevent diabetes,” said Dr. Fatima Tiu, president of DPI. “As frontliners, your daily interactions are vital in identifying risks early, educating patients, and building long-term care.”
Training begins in August and September, starting with communication skills, risk identification, and updates on diabetes care. The plan also includes joint campaigns and having medical professionals in select Watsons stores to assist during screenings.
“We want to guide our customers on prevention, early detection, and proper management,” said Liao, adding that most people visit pharmacies before seeing a doctor.
Tiu explained that DPI’s role is not just to supervise proper screening but also to provide a care pathway for those at risk or diagnosed.
“It’s like uncovering a can of worms. Screening everywhere and then saying someone is diabetic, and then nothing happens. That’s not acceptable. You cannot go around screening without a destination. If you screen, there must be an action to be taken,” she added.
Watsons aims to ensure that every diabetes-related interaction leads to clear and credible next steps.
“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 through confident, consultative care,” said Ma. Corina Marte, director for People and Organization Development.
The partnership also aims to educate families. Watsons Sales Operations director Maria Adelfa De Ramos said diabetes is not just about numbers, it affects loved ones who may not know they are at risk. Early education is key.
Dr. Fatima Tiu added that when a diabetic patient buys medicine, pharmacists also screen family members to catch early signs. “We remind them that prevention starts at home, especially with children. It has to be fun—through play, sports, and movement,” she said.
DPI promotes simple nutrition habits using the “Pinggang Pinoy” method, which divides the plate into vegetables, carbohydrates, protein, and fruit. Tiu said it’s a basic but effective approach.
Pre-diabetes is also on the rise. While it can still be reversed through proper diet and exercise, Tiu warned that heart damage can begin before diagnosis.
“It’s a global epidemic, and poorer countries like the Philippines are hit hardest,” said Dr. Reynaldo Rosales, DPI treasurer. “Half remain undiagnosed due to poor lifestyle, urbanization, and lack of access to care.”
With more than 1,000 stores, Watsons offers DPI a way to reach communities that are often overlooked. Both groups hope the program helps Filipinos better understand and manage diabetes.
