Prescription rules for GLP-1 medicines in the Philippines

Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus and Mounjaro are registered in the Philippines as prescription drugs. Under the Philippine Pharmacy Act (RA 10918, 2016), a prescription medicine may be dispensed only by a licensed pharmacist, through an FDA-licensed outlet, against a valid prescription. Prescribing belongs with a licensed Philippine physician. Sources checked 23 September 2026.

• The FDA Verification Portal lists Mounjaro and Mounjaro KwikPen (tirzepatide) under Certificates of Product Registration DR-XY49501 to DR-XY49505, DR-XY49531, DR-XY49610 to DR-XY49613, DR-XY49616 and DR-XY49617, each classified as a prescription drug, with Zuellig Pharma Corporation as importer and distributor. (CPR DR-XY49501 to DR-XY49505, DR-XY49531, DR-XY49610 to DR-XY49613, DR-XY49616, DR-XY49617)
• The portal shows the Mounjaro KwikPen registrations issued on 9 September 2025 and 1 October 2025 and the Mounjaro single-dose vial registrations issued between 26 January and 24 March 2026, all under monitored release. (CPR DR-XY49502 (example record), 9 September 2025)
• The portal lists Ozempic (semaglutide) injection under BR-1326, BR-1327, BR-1328 and BR-1346, classified as a prescription drug, with Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals (Philippines), Inc. as the registrant; the BR-1328 record displays an issuance date of 29 September 2026 and an expiry of 15 October 2026, which could not be reconciled. (CPR BR-1326, BR-1327, BR-1328, BR-1346)
• The portal lists Wegovy (semaglutide) injection under BR-1468 to BR-1477, classified as a prescription drug, with registrations issued on 28 February 2024 and 17 September 2024 and expiring in 2029. (CPR BR-1468 to BR-1477)
• The portal lists Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) 3 mg, 7 mg and 14 mg tablets under BR-1411 to BR-1413, classified as a prescription drug, valid 18 August 2022 to 18 August 2027. (CPR BR-1411, BR-1412, BR-1413, 18 August 2022)
• A portal search for liraglutide returns Xultophy (insulin degludec plus liraglutide, BR-1225 and BR-1420) as a registered prescription drug; the search returns no current drug product record for Saxenda or Victoza, although a package insert file for Saxenda under BR-1291 is listed. (CPR BR-1225, BR-1420; PI/PIL record BR-1291)
• FDA Advisory No. 2026-0065 added tirzepatide 2.5 mg to 15 mg per 0.6 mL solution for injection to the list of VAT-exempt health products for diabetes under the CREATE Act. (FDA Advisory No. 2026-0065, 23 February 2026)

• RA 10918, the Philippine Pharmacy Act, defines prescription (ethical) medicines as medicines a pharmacist may dispense only when the patient presents a valid prescription. (RA 10918, 21 July 2016)
• Section 33 of RA 10918 provides that prescription medicines may be dispensed only by a licensed pharmacist and only against a valid prescription from a physician, dentist or veterinarian. (RA 10918, 21 July 2016)
• Section 30 of RA 10918 provides that no pharmaceutical product may be dispensed or sold to the public except through an FDA-licensed retail drug outlet. (RA 10918, 21 July 2016)
• Section 31 of RA 10918 requires outlets that sell prescription medicines to operate under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist, whether the outlet is in-store or online. (RA 10918, 21 July 2016)
• RA 3720 requires drugs that are restricted to prescription dispensing to carry a caution statement on the label before dispensing. (RA 3720, 22 June 1963)
• RA 6675, the Generics Act of 1988, requires physicians, dentists and veterinarians to write prescriptions using the generic name of the drug. (RA 6675, 13 September 1988)

• RA 10918 defines online pharmacy services as pharmaceutical services of a duly licensed pharmaceutical outlet carried out over the internet. (RA 10918, 21 July 2016)
• Section 45 of RA 10918 penalises listed violations with a fine of PHP 250,000 to PHP 500,000 or imprisonment of 1 year and 1 day to 6 years, or both. (RA 10918, 21 July 2016)
• The acts penalised under Section 45 of RA 10918 include operating an unlicensed online pharmacy service not authorised by the FDA. (RA 10918, 21 July 2016)
• The acts penalised under Section 45 of RA 10918 also include dispensing or offering prescription drugs for sale in a place not licensed by the FDA as a pharmaceutical outlet. (RA 10918, 21 July 2016)
• FDA Advisory No. 2022-0108 states that a customer must present a prescription or e-prescription when ordering any prescription drug through an online ordering service. (FDA Advisory No. 2022-0108, 10 February 2022)
• FDA Advisory No. 2022-0108 states that promoting and advertising prescription drugs to the public is prohibited, including on online selling platforms and social media. (FDA Advisory No. 2022-0108, 10 February 2022)

Current pharmacy prices for every registered strength, read from each pharmacy's own page, are in the GLP-1 price tracker. Visitors and expats: the guide for foreigners covers what pharmacies ask for.

• Are peptides legal in the Philippines?
• How FDA Philippines registration works, and what "not registered" means
• Bringing medicines or peptides into the Philippines
• Is selling peptides legal in the Philippines?
• FDA Philippines advisories on GLP-1s and peptides: timeline
• Regulatory status by compound

Sources checked 23 September 2026. Primary sources only: statutes, DOH and FDA Philippines issuances, the FDA verification portal and the Bureau of Customs. This is general information, not legal advice.