Switch and Save to Watsons Quality Generic Medicine

I visit Watsons every month when my vitamins ran out of stock (or looking for a quality substitute for Berocca (my savior vitamin) in a tablet form)    I know as I could feel it out, that I would collapse anytime without my vitamin maintenance. I usually keep a thousand every month to buy up for my vitamins (Grapeseed oil, vitamin C, Vitapack)   I have been shopping for Watsons for over 6 years now. I have mastered every promo they had for the buying public. Like when you buy two by 10s of Berocca, you get to pay 50% for the third one.

For their Switch & Save Promo, my father who used to buy his anti hypertensive branded medicines from the other drugstore. made a switch to Watsons Generics and saved up to 80% of his medicine bills.  That's a lot of savings coming from my father who used to spend around php9000 for his olol anti hypertensive and anti cholesterol meds now pay up to only php2000 for his maintenance.

Watsons, the number one pharmacy retail brand in Asia* recently launched its celebrity endorsers Edu Manzano and Lorna Tolentino along with Watsons Generic line last August 25 at Watsons SM Moa.

It gives Filipino families more options for high quality but affordable medicines as it strengthens its branded generics line.

For families on a tight budget, healthcare often takes a backseat to more basic needs such as food, and paying the bills. Based on a recent study done by Nielsen, a Filipino family spends only 5 percent of its income for medicines and health-related services.

 

With Watsons Generics, Filipinos do not need to choose between SAVINGS and QUALITY as it assures customers of quality medicine backed by over 170 years of pharmaceutical experience while giving them as much as 80 percent in savings.

The generic drugs carried by Watsons Generics are all manufactured by trusted pharmaceutical partners and undergo a 5-step quality assurance process.
 

“We aim to help families by giving them more healthcare options and the ability to purchase affordable, high-quality medicines. This will not just give them access to quality healthcare products, they will also be able to focus their finances on other important matters,” said Danilo Chiong, Health Business Unit Director of Watsons.

The Watsons Generics line includes maintenance medicines for diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol, antibiotics to fight off the common bacteria, dietary supplements for skin enhancement, anti-ageing and over-all wellness, basic vitamins, oral analgesics, and other over the counter medicines.

“In the Philippines, Watsons has always been known for our branded beauty products, but with the launch of Watsons Generics our customers now don’t have to go elsewhere to buy their medicine,” says Karen Fabres, Watsons senior marketing manager.

THE SWITCH CONTINUES

Following the successful Switch and Save campaigns of Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Patty Laurel-Filart, Iya Villania-Arellano and Christian Bautista, the brand takes the campaign further by including Watsons Generics ambassadors as Edu Manzano and Lorna Tolentino in its store visit campaign.

It is through their influence that Filipinos can be educated about their different health options, which will promote Watsons drive to address the gaps of health literacy in the country.

As two of the most respected names in the Philippine entertainment industry for decades and Edu and Lorna’s endorsements have had a great impact on spreading awareness of Watsons Generics line.

The two celebrities surprised shoppers at the SM Mall of Asia as they proudly wore the Watsons uniform and helped shoppers choose the best value products especially at the pharmacy section.

They even played a mini-game where shoppers were asked several questions and given the choice between SAVINGS or QUALITY.

“We launched a new TVC last month with the same story that challenges you - when it comes to
choosing medicines, are you for SAVINGS or QUALITY? And how you can get both simply by buying Watsons Generics. You can save up to 80% and get over 170 years of pharmacy experience on its wide range of quality medicines,” relates Edu.

But more than their influence, Edu and Lorna are also role models when it comes to being proactive about taking care of one’s health.

“As we age, we have to take extra care of our bodies, so I make sure that I have a stock of Watsons Multivitamins + Iron regularly to boost my immune system. In the mornings I have the Calamansi Flavored Psyllium Fiber thats tangy and good for digestion,” the actor added.

“For my body pains, I take Watsons Generics Paracetamol especially kapag pagod at puyat from tapings.”

Edu also suggests the Cranberry capsules which is suitable for urinary tract infection and Luyang Dilaw for overall wellness.

Just like Edu, Lorna, takes vitamins regularly, “to boost my immune system, I take Ascorbic Acid, especially now na tag-ulan dahil mas madali tayo magkasakit and siyempre kapag puyatan sa taping or shooting.

To maintain her youthful glowing skin, Lorna credits Watsons Glutathione, Vitamin E and Hyaluron Collagen Powder. “Kailangan healthy and beautiful ka rin from the inside,” the grandslam actress revealed.

Just like the Watsons’ celebrity ambassadors you too can maximize your purchasing power allowing you to properly take care of your health and spend more on the things you really want in life.

Switch and Save to affordable Watsons Generics

Watsons a leading pharmacy retail brand in Asia recently launched its own line of multivitamins and medicines Watsons Generics last August 7, 2014 at Manila Peninsula together with its new ambassadors Lorna Tolentino and Edu Manzano.  They are admitted to switching from their branded multivitamins to Watsons generics before becoming its endorsers. Lorna Tolentino have tried Glutathione and Milk Thistle with Alpha Lipoic Acid and Vitamin B1+ B6 + B12 and among others. Edu Manzano on the other hand have tried the Vitamin B1, B6 and B12 as well. They told the guests and media that they are happy with the healthy switch and is living a healthy lifestyle.

 Watsons Generics also held a free medical consultation on that day, free blood sugar test, blood pressure monitoring and BMI test, and provided free medicines to those who have suffered from illnesses such as diabetes and mild hypertension.

Health literacy remains to be a key health challenge not only in the Philippines but around the world, even in developed countries. With literacy and health both recognized as fundamental components of pursuing health and well being of the society according to World Health Organization, medical and health industry leaders highlight a new collaborative framework to help address the low health literacy in the country.

At the launch of Watsons Generics, Dr. Anthony Leachon, President of the Philippine College of Physicians, emphasized that health literacy plays a critical role in addressing the dismal health situation of Filipinos including poor health and high risk of hospitalization.

“There still are many gaps that need to be addressed to improve health literacy in the country. Poverty and lack of education remain to be some of biggest contributors that prevent patients to communicate, understand health information, and subsequently make sound decisions about their health. What we need is a pragmatic approach toward health literacy—not only involving the doctor and patient but also the pharmacist and product,” shared Dr. Leachon.

He further explained that the best way to address these gaps is to use a practical framework that illustrates how the physician, patient, pharmacist and product can work together to create a more health literate community. “Ultimately, health literacy is achieved when patients and providers truly understand each other,” he added.

Watsons Generics prides itself for maintaining highly trained pharmacists in all of its branches nationwide. These pharmacists aim to support consumers with their medical decisions, particularly in purchasing medicines and adhering to the doctor’s prescription.

“Pharmacists must do their part in educating the public through conversations with customers. The well being of our customers is at the core of everything we do, and by entering the generics industry, we enable Filipinos to remain vigilant in their decision-making process when it comes to their health care,” Chiong added.

Aside from making health information accessible to the public through its pharmacists, Watsons also empowers consumers with the launch of its own generics medicine line. The Watsons Generics line will offer a wide array of medicines and supplements that are manufactured by trusted partners to ensure that all products are of high quality, safe and effective while maintaining its affordability. By providing quality generic medicines to the public, Watsons aims to build trust amongst its consumers and encourage them to be more proactive on maintaining their health.


“We believe that the public and private sectors can collaboratively develop solutions to mitigate this problem of low health literacy. The new product line of Watsons Generics is a testament of our commitment to give the public more options so they can take control of their health,” said Danilo Chiong, Health Business Director of Watsons.

In its initial launch, Watsons Generics will offer a wide variety of over-the-counter medicines, supplements, and maintenance drugs that addresses common ailments, illnesses, and lifestyle needs of Filipinos. Watsons was a pharmacy first with over 170 years of pharmacy experience, and continues to lead the industry as Asia’s no. 1 pharmacy retail brand for five consecutive years according to Campaign Asia.