Mercury Drug founder dies at 96

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Mercury Drug President Vivian Que-Azcona alongside wheelchair-bound Mariano Que at the Medicine Auditorium. File photo by Geonabeth L. Cadungog

MERCURY Drug founder Mariano Que, who obtained an honorary doctorate degree from UST in 2015, died last April 12. He was 96 years old.

The popular drug store chain announced Que’s death on its Facebook page on Good Friday, April 14.

Que received an honorary doctorate in humanities, honoris causa, from UST on Sept. 9, 2015 for his work in the pharmaceutical industry and involvement in philanthropy.

Que received numerous awards such as the Plaque of Merit for being the Most Prestigious Drugs Manufacturer and Distinguished Civic Leader in 1973, the Award of Distinction from the Philippine Chamber of Health and Pharmaceutical and Non-Pharmaceutical Industry in 1986, and “Father of Philippine Health and Wellness Retailing” from the Philippine Retailers Association in 2012.

The opening of the first Mercury Drug store in Bambang, Manila in March 1945 marked the birth of the country’s pharmaceutical retail industry, which Que led for 72 years.

Programs such as the Operation Bigay Lunas, Bantay Kalusugan, Pharmacy Scholarship, Gawad Talino, Sagip Talento and Disaster Relief Assistance were launched through the Mercury Drug Foundation.

Mercury Drug has more than 1,000 stores nationwide and over 12,000 employees nationwide.

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