Exclusive - Founder Of Mercury Drug Mariano Que Passes Away At 96

Mercury Drug Corporation confirmed the death of its founder, Mariano Que who died at age 96. No further details about his death was released but their company’s official Facebook page encouraged the public to donate to charitable institutions instead of sending flowers for him.

According to a report released by ABS-CBN, Mercury Drug first opened in 1945 in Manila after the Philippines had its independence from the Japanese occupation. With the success of its first establishment, Mercury Drug now has more than 1,000 branches across the country.

The Mercury Drug website shared the humble beginning of Mr. Mariano Que. He started his business when he bought a bottle of sulfathiazole worth P100. He made the antibiotic affordable for everyone by selling it at a retail price or ‘tingi-tingi’. From then on, he was able to purchase a pushcart loaded with pharmaceutical supplies which he patiently pushed around Metro Manila.

When he had enough profit to establish a decent store, he opened the first ever Mercury Drug store in Bambang Street on March 1, 1945.

ABS-CBN News reported that Mr. Que was known for his health care concern for the Filipino people as he established health programs and services, one of which is ‘Bantay Kalusugan’. Bantay Kalusugan “provides free health profiling and screening for chronic non-communicable diseases”. ‘Operation Bigay Lunas’ on the other hand served unreachable communities in the country by giving them free medical services.

Mr. Que’s daughter,  Vivian Que Azcona is currently the corporation’s president.

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Source: TNP , ABS-CBN