Watsons offers diabetes management support services

Watsons Philippines is expanding its diabetes care support services as the number of Filipinos diagnosed with the chronic condition continues to rise.

“We believe that taking care of our health should be as accessible and convenient as possible,” Watsons Philippines Director for Health Business Unit Cecille Uy said at the retailer’s Diabetes Care event.

“We want to help Filipinos find the products, information, and support they need to make better health decisions,” she added.

The brand’s initiatives include a six-month specialized training program for its pharmacists to help patients manage their conditions and receive counseling.

Through its training, customers can receive professional guidance on its wide range of diabetes care solutions, including prescription medicines, vitamins, blood glucose monitoring supplies, and specialized personal care products.

Inquiries on early signs of diabetes, as well as other medical services such as teleconsultations and blood glucose checks, are available across its branches nationwide.

“Our role extends far beyond the pharmacy shelf,” Watsons Philippines Managing Director Danilo Chiong said.

“We are reshaping community-based support so that expert guidance, preventive screening, and ongoing care become seamlessly integrated into everyday life, helping ensure no patient feels like they have to navigate their health journey in isolation,” he added.

Watsons has also partnered with organizations like Diabetes Philippines to promote its healthcare services within the community.

“Beyond taking medication, monitoring, check-ups, and support from family and groups are also important,” Diabetes Philippines Inc. President Fatima Tiu said. “Watsons helps us with our needs, our blood glucose monitoring, as they provide a comfortable place for our needs.”

“We have to go beyond just taking medication; you have to learn how to take care of yourself,” she added.

Data from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) found that about 4,726,300 adult Filipinos have been diagnosed with the chronic condition in 2024, with an 8% prevalence.

The group also noted that 2.53 million individuals aged 20 to 79 years old remain undiagnosed across the country.

By 2050, diabetic Filipino adults are expected to climb to 8.59 million, or about 1% of the forecasted 852.47 million cases globally. — Almira Louise S. Martinez