Essentiale Forte P, Mercury Drug Launch FREE Liver Test Program for Filipinos

Free Liver Test at Mercury Drug

According to the Hepatology Society of the Philippines, around 18 million Filipinos are at risk of Fatty Liver Disease, underscoring how liver problems remain one of the country’s most widespread silent epidemics. With symptoms often not immediately visible, many people remain unaware of the condition until it has already progressed into a more serious health concern. While early testing is possible, access to liver screening remains limited for many Filipinos.

In a move to make preventive healthcare more accessible, Phospholipids (Essentiale Forte P), manufactured by global consumer healthcare company Opella, has partnered with the country’s leading pharmacy chain, Mercury Drug Corporation to launch a Free Liver Test program available at select Mercury Drug stores nationwide. The initiative, which will run throughout the year, aims to encourage Filipinos to take proactive steps in monitoring and protecting their liver health through early detection and proper care management with the help of Phospholipids (Essentiale Forte P).

The free liver test is essentially a Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT) test, which measures liver enzyme levels through a small blood sample. The program follows a six-step process, beginning with a quick health check facilitated by a Phospholipids (Essentiale Forte P) brand ambassador, which includes questions about conditions such as and . This is followed by a brief introduction to the brand and the SGPT test itself. After the test, customers are informed when results will be released and are provided Phospholipids (Essentiale Forte P) samples to help kickstart proactive liver care. Results are then sent via email along with an invitation for an on-site consultation, where a doctor will interpret the findings and prescribe the proper course of action. All steps under the program are offered free of charge.

Your liver never rests, proactive care is essential

The liver is one of the most hardworking organs in the body, performing hundreds of essential functions every day without rest.

Dr. Guia Limpoco Director of the Board - Philippine Academy of Family Physician

Inside the liver are enzymes that normally stay within liver cells. When the liver is damaged, these enzymes leave the liver and enter the bloodstream, making it detectable through an SGPT test. When their levels in the blood are elevated, it can be a sign that the liver is already compromised and may need attention

explained Dr. Anna Guia Limpoco, Board of Trustee, the .

Caring for the liver starts with being proactive about one’s health. This includes undergoing regular screening tests for early detection, maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle, and making mindful choices about diet and alcohol consumption.

Taking liver-supporting supplements, such as Phospholipids (Essentiale Forte P), can also aid liver cell health and regeneration, especially for individuals living with comorbidities that may affect liver health, such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and other metabolic conditions.

Phospholipids (Essentiale Forte P) helps regenerate damaged liver cells by rebuilding, strengthening, and protecting them with natural , giving the liver extra support. Its high bioavailability allows efficient absorption. When combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, it has been shown to help reduce liver fat more effectively compared to lifestyle changes alone.

Dr. Guia Limpoco, Opella Team, and Mercury Drug Team

Many Filipinos are unaware that everyday lifestyle factors such as diet, stress, and alcohol consumption, as well as existing conditions such as hypertension, obesity and type 2 diabetes can affect liver health

said Gheck Barlis, Brand Manager of Phospholipids (Essentiale Forte P).

At Essentiale, we believe that having a healthy liver allows people to get more out of life. Since the liver supports many vital functions that help keep the body energized and balanced, taking care of it is key to maintaining overall health and well-being. Through this initiative, we hope to encourage more people to check their liver health regularly and take proactive steps to care for it.

Bringing healthcare closer to Filipino communities has always been central to Mercury Drug’s mission

said Martin Gumayan, Vice President for Chainstore Operations of Mercury Drug Corporation.

Community pharmacies are often the first place people go to for health advice, so programs like this allow us to play a more active role in promoting preventive care by making services such as liver screening more accessible to our customers.

Preventive healthcare is an important part of empowering customers to take charge of their well-being

added Cora Lim, Vice President for Merchandising of Mercury Drug Corporation.

By working with trusted healthcare partners like Essentiale, we can bring meaningful health initiatives into our stores and make it easier for customers to access services that support early detection and better health outcomes.

For more information on the Free Liver Test program, visit the official social media pages of Essentiale PH and Mercury Drug Corporation for updates and announcements.