Mariano Que: Founder of Mecury Drug

MARIANO QUE
Founder of Mecury Drug

Mariano Que
Born: 1921 (age 99 years)
Died: April 15, 2017
Children: Vivian Que-Azcona
Organization founded: Mercury Drug
His company may not have been the first drugstore in the country, but his pioneering spirit
behind the pharmaceutical retail industry paved the way for all the rest that followed.
It all began with P100 and a bottle of Sulfiathiazole
From a wooden pushcart to 1,000 stores nationwide, the late Mariano Que peddled
pharmaceutical products for Filipinos for over 7 decades, leading to the creation of the
country's largest drug store chain, Mercury Drug Corporation.
He was not born rich like other successful entreprenuers. Que came from humble beginnings. As
a survivor of World War II, he was orphaned and was deprived of the chance to study early on.
The Mercury Drug founder, who just passed away, initially worked as an employee of a drug
store chain during the pre-war era. After the devastation of World War II, Que knew Filipinos
needed Sulfiathiazole – a "miracle" drug used to cure many diseases and illnesses.
But since pharmacies that time hardly sold Sulfiathiazole, Que then decided to invest his P100 to
buy the drug and sell these in single doses to reach the poverty-stricken communities.
Selling Sulfathiazole by individual pieces, Que was able to save enough to open up the first
outlet of Mercury Drug in Bambang, Manila on March 1, 1945.

Que set himself apart by building a reputation for quality products and fair prices in a market that
was filled with sellers who sometimes sold fake, expired, out of date, or even dangerous
medicines at exorbitant prices.
Mercury's first product: Sulfiathiazole
Mercury Drug remained a one-store operation till the 1960s, but Que started buying vehicles to
deliver medicine to customers in 1948. In 1952, Que expanded store hours to 17 hours a day, 7
days a week.
The nascent firm expanded in 1963, opening its second branch in the developing Makati central
business district on the invitation of Ayala Corporation. It was then when Mercury Drug
pioneered the self-service concept.
In 1965, Mercury Drug opened its 3rd store in Quiapo, which, to this day, operates 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week.
Mercury Drug expanded beyond Metro Manila in 1976, after it bought Medical Center Drug
Corporation, which produces medical supplies and equipment. It was in 2012 when Mercury
Drug opened its first drive-thru service in Greenhills, San Juan.
Today, the firm has over 1,000 branches across the country having pioneered services like
delivery of drugs and 24/7 operations which is featured in select stores.
The University of Sto Tomas (UST) said in its official Facebook page that Que received an
honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from the university in 2015. He was also recognized by
the Philippine Retailers Association as the "Father of Philippine Health and Wellness Retailing".
"While corporations tended to focus on gaining more and more profit, Que became one of the
few who early on decided to give back to society," UST Graduate School dean Marilu Madrunio
said in her petition for the grant of the degree to Que.
UST Rector Fr Herminio Dagohoy also praised Que, saying his model of retail pharmacy "saved
many lives and helped people – specifically those who survived the war – get back on their feet
and rebuild."
More than just a businessman
Que proved to be more than just an enterprising businessman. He founded the Mercury Drug
Foundation (MDFI) as a way of giving back to Filipinos for their support throughout the
company’s 70-year existence.
Today, MDFI helps Filipinos across the country mainly through these programs:
 Operation BigayLunas – free medical services and medicines to underserved
communities
 Operation Pa-Tubig – access to water for marginalized waterless communities
nationwide, done in partnership with the Philippine Business for Social Progress
 BantayKalusugan – free health profiling, screening, counseling, and education activities
for non-communicable diseases

 Pharmacy Scholarship – full scholarships given to third and fourth year Pharmacy
students enrolled in member schools of the Philippine Association of Colleges of
Pharmacy (PACOP).
They also give out awards of excellence for Math and Science (GawadTalino); search for,
nurture, and train future leaders (SagipTalento); and provide immediate relief assistance in the
form of medicines or hygiene packs.
He has also been conferred an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree by the University of Sto.
Tomas College of Medicine for his pioneering spirit behind the pharmaceutical retail industry
and his advocacy for affordable medicine and assistance to the needy.
Apart from the honorary degree, he has also received a lot of awards, including:
 President’s Award: Plaque of Merit, Most Prestigious Drugs Manufacturer and
Distinguished Civic Leader in 1973
 Award of Distinction by the Philippine Chamber of Health and Pharmaceutical and Non-
Pharmaceutical Industry in 1986
 Father of Philippine Health and Wellness Retailing by the Philippine Retailers
Association in 2012
Now, His daughter, Vivian Que Azcona, is now president of Mercury Drug Corporation. From
her father's P100-capital, she and her family now has a net worth of $900 million as of 2016,
latest data from Forbes showed. Azcona is also one of the few women included
in Forbes' Philippines' 50 Richest.

So, where can your P100 take you?

Mariano Que: Founder of Mecury Drug

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MARIANO QUE

Founder of Mecury Drug

It all began with P100 and a bottle of Sulfiathiazole

From a wooden pushcart to 1,000 stores nationwide, the late Mariano Que peddled

country's largest drug store chain, Mercury Drug Corporation.

outlet of Mercury Drug in Bambang, Manila on March 1, 1945.

medicines at exorbitant prices.

Mercury's first product: Sulfiathiazole

pioneered the self-service concept.

day, 7 days a week.

Drug opened its first drive-thru service in Greenhills, San Juan.

delivery of drugs and 24/7 operations which is featured in select stores.

said in her petition for the grant of the degree to Que.

More than just a businessman

company’s 70-year existence.

 Operation BigayLunas – free medical services and medicines to underserved

 Operation Pa-Tubig – access to water for marginalized waterless communities

 BantayKalusugan – free health profiling, screening, counseling, and education activities

for non-communicable diseases

students enrolled in member schools of the Philippine Association of Colleges of

form of medicines or hygiene packs.

 President’s Award: Plaque of Merit, Most Prestigious Drugs Manufacturer and

Distinguished Civic Leader in 1973

Pharmaceutical Industry in 1986

 Father of Philippine Health and Wellness Retailing by the Philippine Retailers

latest data from Forbes showed. Azcona is also one of the few women included

in Forbes' Philippines' 50 Richest.

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