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Apotheca Integrative Pharmacy provides modern solutions to women’s common health concerns
Let’s take a look at some of the health concerns women continue to face and how these can be addressed through these modern solutions.
The Filipina is undeniably exceptional. Young or old, a professional, a student, a beauty queen, a blue-collar employee, a homemaker, she exudes beauty, intelligence and strength wherever she sets foot in the world. But no matter her courage and strength, she remains vulnerable.
Many Filipinas ignore health issues to focus on family or work. To help women look after their well-being and address any health concern, medical experts have developed modern solutions. One of these is compounded medicines, or medicines produced through the pharmaceutical process of compounding or customizing medicines based on a patient’s needs. Apotheca Integrative Pharmacy (AIP), the pioneer specialty compounding pharmacy in the Philippines, is helping Filipinas look after themselves more easily and effectively through its wide range of compounding medicines and services.
Let’s take a look at some of the health concerns women continue to face and how these can be addressed through these modern solutions.
Thyroid Issues
Thyroid disorders continue to affect many Filipinas today. These often-neglected disorders, which include goiter, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer and thyroid nodules, affect more women than men, with incidence among women three times higher than for men.
Thyroid disorders and iodine deficiency are considered public health threats because when left untreated they can lead to more serious problems such as thyroid cancer, goiter, reproductive failure and even mental deficiency. Thyroid cancer, for one, is the most common cancer among women 15 to 24 years old, based on Department of Health (DoH) data.
Goiter, another common disorder in the Philippines, is linked to overproduction of thyroid hormones, called hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism can lead to a stroke, congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation if left untreated or undertreated.
Women with thyroid issues can also experience menstrual irregularities. Because the thyroid controls many parts of the body, too much or too little thyroid hormones can make a woman’s period too light, too heavy or irregular, which can then affect a woman’s ovulation and make conceiving difficult.
AIP’s thyroid medications can address thyroid issues by stabilizing blood pressure, improving endocrine function and reducing hyperthyroid symptoms.
Using thyroid medications to treat menstrual irregularities and problems in conceiving birth can also help improve emotional disorders and fertility.
Hormonal Imbalance and Menopause
Many Filipinas silently suffer from hormonal imbalance or do not realize they have it. Polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS affects about 4.5 million Filipinas and is a major cause of infertility among women. Besides irregular cycle and weight gain, Filipinas with PCOS experience bloating, hyperpigmentation and baldness.
Meanwhile, the imbalance of hormones related to menopause creates harsh physical changes and can affect a woman’s mental health. During this stage, women experience hot flashes, vaginal dryness, sleeplessness, fatigue, memory loss and weight gain.
Women often turn to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat these symptoms. One form of HRT, Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) or the process of replicating hormones using natural resources, supplements the body with the hormones it lacks. AIP’s BHRT replicates hormones such as liothyronine, levothyroxine, progesterone, melatonin, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and pregnenolone.
Undergoing BHRT can increase the core temperature and basal metabolic rate, reduce gall bladder activity, normalize blood clot and vascular tone, strengthen the immune system, and improve mood, vision, energy, clarity of thinking and overall well-being. It also assists in thyroid function, slowing natural changes that occur in the body with age and building up bone and muscle strength.
Weight Management
Obesity remains a major health issue among Filipinas as it can lead to other more serious concerns. The adult obesity increase rate in the country has been experiencing “very rapid growth,” according to the March 2021 report of the World Obesity Federation, with the growth rate among women between 1995 and 2015 at 3.7 percent.Obese women are at a high risk of developing diabetes, coronary artery disease, low back pain and knee osteoarthritis.
Compounded medicines are also used to treat obesity. AIP’s portfolio of weight management solutions includes Phentermine, Phentermine and Topiramate, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG), Methionine Inositol Choline (MIC), Methionine, Inositol,Choline, L-Carnitine and Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12).
These solutions can cater to different concerns such as obesity related to diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure. AIP’s weight management services help patients lose weight easily by burning and breaking down fats within the liver to lower cholesterol, assisting the metabolism of fats and supporting the liver in excreting chemical waste products. Some medicines promote the health of cell structures and reduce blood cholesterol or boost overall metabolic rate, assist in burning stored body fat and regulate sleep, appetite and energy.
Skin Problems
Acne, dry skin, hyperpigmentation and dark spots are just some of the common skin problems that Filipinas face. Having sensitive skin is a major concern for many as it can also mean having to be very picky with skin care products to use. Compounded dermatological preparations can cater to a patient’s hiyang and consider which ingredients might trigger allergies or negative reactions from a patient. These medicines can also be tailored to achieve the patient’s desired results.
AIP’s compounded dermatological preparations include tretinoin, vitamin C serum, glutathione and hair loss dermatology related products such as minoxidil, minoxidil with finasteride. There are solutions to replace older skin with new skin and treat acne, whiteheads and blackheads, wrinkles, dark spots and rough skin. Other treatments produce a smooth and glowing complexion, promote collagen production, tighten the skin, provide hydration and antioxidants, treat hair loss and neutralize free radicals.
AIP hopes to make a difference in Filipinas’ lives through its range of compounded medicines and services. Among its 13,000 patients, 63 percent are female. AIP houses female doctors who specialize in gynecology, endocrinology and dermatology. It also has integrative and functional doctors.
“Everyone should have access to better healthcare,” said AIP Managing Director Sophia Lista. “We want to make it easier for our fellow Filipinas. Apotheca Integrative Pharmacy empowers women through better and accessible health. Through this advocacy, we hope to become a significant part in their journeys.”
AIP works closely with doctors and its customers and considers factors such as patient age and allergy history in order to customize medicines to a patient’s needs. The pharmacy believes in the pharmacy triad or finding accountability with doctors, patients and pharmacists to provide superior pharmaceutical care, strengthening patient confidence and compliance.
To learn more about Apotheca Integrative Pharmacy, visit apotheca.com.ph and follow AIP’s Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn channels.
Product Showcase
Sun Life appoints Bianca Ilibasic as Managing Director, Sun Life Global Solutions
She will lead SLGS across India and the Philippines, providing strategic direction to multi-functional teams spanning Technology, Operations, Analytics, Actuarial, HR, Finance, and Risk & Compliance.
Sun Life has appointed Bianca Ilibasic as the Managing Director for its global capability centre, Sun Life Global Solutions (SLGS). She previously served as Vice President & Chief Operations Officer, Sun Life Asia.
In her new role, Bianca will lead SLGS across India and the Philippines, providing strategic direction to multi-functional teams spanning Technology, Operations, Analytics, Actuarial, HR, Finance, and Risk & Compliance. Her mandate is to further scale SLGS as a high-impact, enterprise capability supporting Sun Life across 28 markets.
During her time in Asia, Bianca advanced straight-through processing, accelerated digital adoption, and shaped a forward-looking AI roadmap to drive business growth — strengthening shared platforms and enabling scalable outcomes.
Commenting on the appointment, Laura Money, EVP and Chief Information and Technology Innovation Officer, Sun Life, said, “Over the past four years, Bianca has been a driving force behind operational excellence and digital transformation, leading with clarity, courage, and a deep commitment to our Purpose. Advancing our AI roadmap and scaling impact across common platforms, Bianca has been consistently delivering results while building strong, empowered teams. She is a visionary, insights driven leader who brings energy, heart, and ambition to everything she does, and I could not be more thrilled to see her step into this role.”
Reflecting on the opportunity, Bianca added: “I am excited to begin this new chapter. Sun Life Global Solutions is more than a capability centre — excellence, innovation, and dedication are consistently demonstrated via brilliant, passionate teams across India and the Philippines who support our Purpose and our Clients every single day. What excites me most is the opportunity to build on our foundation and deepen partnerships, accelerate transformation, and relentlessly focus on outcomes that truly matter to our Clients.”
Bianca’s appointment marks a defining moment for SLGS, strengthening its role as both a strategic engine for enterprise value and a platform where empowered teams can shape what’s next for Sun Life. We look forward to everything Bianca and the SLGS team will achieve together.
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Manulife continues legacy of service in PH with Impact Week 2026
All five Manulife organizations in the Philippines—Manulife Philippines, Manulife China Bank Life Assurance Corporation (MCBL), Manulife Investment Management and Trust Corporation (MIMTC), Manulife Business Processing Services (MBPS), and Manulife IT Delivery Center (MITDC)—held activities that advanced environmental, educational, and social causes.
Manulife hosted its inaugural Impact Week, a global volunteer initiative designed to strengthen well-being, build social connection and unite teams through purpose-driven community action.
All five Manulife organizations in the Philippines—Manulife Philippines, Manulife China Bank Life Assurance Corporation (MCBL), Manulife Investment Management and Trust Corporation (MIMTC), Manulife Business Processing Services (MBPS), and Manulife IT Delivery Center (MITDC)—held activities that advanced environmental, educational, and social causes.
“Manulife’s Longevity ambition is about helping people live longer, healthier, and more financially secure lives—and we believe that starts with strong, resilient communities,” said Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines. “Impact Week brings this to life by mobilizing colleagues across our Philippine entities to volunteer at scale, working side by side with our community partners and reinforcing the shared purpose that strengthens long-term well-being. Through these collective actions, we are creating immediate impact and helping build a more sustainable and inclusive future for the communities we serve.”
Results and Highlights from Impact Week 2026
During Impact Week, more than 1,200 colleagues participated in volunteering activities, logging more than 4,700 volunteering hours.
Beyond the numbers, Impact Week strengthened connection across teams, bringing colleagues together around shared purpose and reinforcing a culture of inclusion.
- Ongoing tripartite impact: As part of a tripartite collaboration with the Corazon Sanchez Atayde Memorial Foundation (CSAMF) and Haribon Foundation—combining Manulife’s community investment commitments, CSAMF’s financial literacy program, and Haribon’s biodiversity and environmental work—Manulife Philippines, Manulife China Bank Life (MCBL), and Manulife Investment Management and Trust Corporation (MIMTC) led the on-ground activities in Infanta, Quezon Province.
- Supporting financial resilience through Peso Smart: Volunteers supported Peso Smart Pinoy (PSP) through challenge-based activities in Brgy. Alitas, Infanta, culminating in a graduation ceremony recognizing PSP participants and their progress toward greater financial confidence. Peso Smart is a financial literacy program that has reached more than 4,000 learners across 18 schools nationwide since 2017,
- Contributing to a healthier planet: Volunteers, together with Haribon Foundation and the Alitas Farmers Folks Association (AFFA), planted 2,500 mangrove seedlings, advancing the Ridge-to-Reef Reforestation Initiative and adding to Manulife and Haribon’s total of more than 31,000 trees planted since 2023.
- Prioritizing health and well-being: Volunteers partnered with Rise Against Hunger Philippines and Waves for Water Philippines to support food security and water, sanitation, and hygiene initiatives. Together, they packed 17,700+ rice meals, rescued 1,200+ kg of surplus food, distributed 500 hot meals, produced 3,300 mushroom bags for livelihoods, assembled 150 water filtration kits, and developed 100+ concepts for food bank and mobile kitchen initiatives.
- Supporting community education: MITDC delivered its Code4Future program to 28 young learners from St. Martin de Porres Kid’s Home—using coding and creativity to build problem-solving skills and digital confidence.
Extending Impact Together
In addition to the company organized activities, individual colleague teams across the Manulife organizations were supported in leading their own volunteer initiatives with local non-profit partners. For each eligible team-led initiative, Manulife provided a $1,000 donation to the partner organization, extending the reach of Impact Week.
“The most meaningful work is often personal. At Manulife, volunteerism grows when people are trusted to lead on the causes they care about,” said Ardhi Siregar, Chief People Officer, Manulife Philippines. “That’s why we empowered our teams to identify a community impact need, choose a local non-profit partner to collaborate with, and lead the effort themselves—with team grants helping extend that impact through added support where it matters most. That sense of ownership and purpose is what fuels deeper engagement and inspires our colleagues to drive impact that endures.”
With more than 13,000 volunteering hours logged across all Philippine entities in 2025, Impact Week 2026 reflects Manulife’s growing culture of service in the communities where it operates and stands to make a difference.
Volunteering: A Longevity Driver Impact Week aligns closely with the work of the Manulife Longevity Institute, a global research, thought leadership, innovation, advocacy, and community investment platform that will help people thrive at every age. The Institute’s work will support Manulife’s Impact Agenda strategy as our always-on commitment to drive better outcomes for our customers, our communities, and the world we share. We believe collective action can accelerate change and, by collaborating with like-minded partners, we can make a meaningful impact.
Product Showcase
Manulife launches GoalReady health solutions
GoalReady for Health combines investment-linked savings with critical illness and life protection—helping customers build their funds while protecting their goals if a serious illness strikes.
Manulife Philippines and Manulife China Bank Life (MCBL) today announced the launch of Manulife GoalReady for Health, an investment-linked savings plan with comprehensive critical illness and life insurance coverage.
GoalReady for Health combines investment-linked savings with critical illness and life protection—helping customers build their funds while protecting their goals if a serious illness strikes. Designed for Filipinos who want to stay on track with their long-term goals, it helps manage the potential financial disruption caused by health setbacks.
As more Filipinos plan for longer lives, staying on track with their life goals increasingly means being prepared for rising healthcare costs, prolonged illness, and the financial strain health setbacks can place on families. The plan addresses the growing gap in financial preparedness for health emergencies among Filipinos. The recent Manulife Asia Care Study revealed that about four in five Filipinos believe their financial wellbeing has great impact on their health span (both physical and mental) and lifespan.
The financial stakes are steep: A study on the economic impact of cancer in the Philippines found that Filipino patients spend an average of ₱181,789 out-of-pocket within the first year of diagnosis, highlighting the significant financial burden of treatment. Yet Filipinos remain financially underprepared for these possibilities. According to latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Filipinos’ household out-of-pocket for medical expenses stood at 42.7%, while a recent Manulife study found that 33% of Filipinos feel they have insufficient insurance coverage.
GoalReady for Health enables customers to build a dedicated pool of savings for future health needs through professionally managed, investment-linked fund options designed to support long-term goals. At the same time, it provides built-in critical illness protection, helping customers stay on track with their plans even when a serious health event occurs.
“Many Filipinos work hard to build toward their goals, but a serious illness can quickly turn years of progress into an unexpected financial burden. Manulife GoalReady for Health brings together critical illness protection and investment-linked savings for future health needs, helping customers stay financially prepared while protecting what they’ve worked hard to build,” said Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines.
“With Manulife GoalReady for Health, we want Filipinos to move forward with confidence, knowing that a health shock need not become a financial setback—so they can focus on recovery while keeping their savings and life goals on track, and live better for longer,” Hora added.
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