Click, pay, risk: Why online weight-loss drugs are dangerous

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February 24, 2026 | 12:00am

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As demand surges for the new generation of weight-loss and diabetes drugs — particularly dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonists hailed as breakthrough treatments — a dangerous parallel market has quietly exploded online. Illegally compounded and counterfeit versions are now being sold directly to consumers, bypassing doctors, regulators, and basic safety checks.

The promise is seductive: dramatic weight loss, better blood sugar control, fewer complications. The risk is far less visible — unknown ingredients, incorrect dosing, serious side effects, even life-threatening harm.

In a country where six out of 10 adults struggle with excess weight and 4.7 million Filipinos live with diabetes, desperation can be powerful. But medical experts warn that treating complex, chronic diseases with unverified drugs bought from social media sellers is not empowerment — it’s a gamble.

These urgent concerns framed a recent forum spearheaded by Zuellig Pharma, where leading local and international authorities gathered to confront the twin crises of obesity and diabetes in the Philippines — and to stress that while innovation is transforming treatment, it must be accessed safely, ethically, and under proper medical care.

Behind the rush to secure these medications is a harder truth: obesity is not a cosmetic concern or a failure of willpower — it is a chronic, relapsing disease that disrupts the body’s metabolic system.

Excess weight drives insulin resistance, fuels repeated blood sugar spikes, and dramatically increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular complications. When left untreated or poorly managed, it sets off a cascade that no quick online purchase can safely fix. Treating obesity, experts stress, requires structured, long-term medical care — not shortcuts.

Dr. Dante Morales, former president of the Philippine Heart Association, underscored this point: “When addressing obesity, we should go beyond the idea of willpower. People still think that being able to control one’s weight is about discipline when there are other factors at play,” cardiologist Dr. Dante Morales said.

Genetics matter

Studies show that genetic factors can predispose individuals to weight gain, influencing hunger signals, satiety, metabolism, and even how the brain responds to food cues.

Prof. David Cummings of the University of Washington cited landmark research comparing identical and fraternal twins to demonstrate how strongly biology influences body weight. The findings suggest that inherited traits play a far greater role than lifestyle alone.

“Body weight is largely set by your genes. To a large extent, being obese is beyond your control,” Cummings said. “You should be relieved of your guilt.”

For the panel convened that afternoon, the implication was clear: obesity must be treated as a chronic medical condition — not a temporary state that can be reversed by willpower alone.

Prof. Roger Chen of the University of Sydney reinforced this view. “Obesity is a multi-faceted disease. It needs to be managed; it’s not like you treat it and it’s gone. After we lose weight, our body tries to go back to where it was before,” Chen said.

Cummings added with a wry note, “That’s the bad news for dieters.”

Prof. Luc Van Gaal of the University of Antwerp highlighted how excess weight affects the entire body. “There is no single tissue that escapes the effects of obesity; all are impacted. This is why a central, holistic approach is essential. The goal is not just weight loss, but long-term weight management,” he stressed.

A new approach to treatment

Building on these insights, Cummings explained the science behind the latest therapies: “By activating the dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, we are communicating with the brain and the metabolic system simultaneously. This doesn’t just lower blood sugar; it resets the body’s weight set-point, delivering results that were previously difficult to achieve through traditional treatments.”

Breakthrough therapies like dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonists offer real hope, but there are no shortcuts when it comes to managing obesity and diabetes. These complex, chronic conditions require ongoing care, medical guidance, and a holistic approach — not quick fixes or unverified online solutions. Experts stress that the most important first step is simple: understand the disease, seek professional advice, and take control safely.

In the fight against obesity and diabetes, there are no shortcuts — real progress begins with knowledge, guidance, and care you can trust.