Vivian Que-Azcona, president of Mercury Drug, one of the largest drugstore chains in the Philippines, passed away at age 69.
Que-Azcona died on April 5, Mercury Drug said in a statement late Thursday evening on its Facebook page. “With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved president,” according to the statement. It didn’t provide details.
The daughter of Mercury Drug founder Mariano Que (who died in 2017 at age 96) has been president of the company since 1998, two decades after earning a degree in pharmacy with top honors from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. She started as staff assistant at the company and rose through the ranks.
Under her helm, Que-Azcona grew the pharmacy that was started by his father in a pushcart in 1945. She modernized and expanded Mercury Drug into a chain with more than 1,500 outlets across the Philippines. The company, which has more than 15,000 employees, also sells medical devices, along with health and personal care products, as well as consumer goods from snacks to drinks, competing with groceries and supermarkets.
“Que-Azcona lived with purpose and passion, ensuring only the best healthcare is accessible to Filipinos,” Unilab, the largest Philippine homegrown drug manufacturer and Mercury Drug supplier for 80 years, said in a statement. “She was a visionary leader and a dedicated partner who has left an indelible mark on the Mercury Group of Companies, the healthcare industry, and the country.”
Que-Azcona and her siblings are the largest shareholders of unlisted Mercury Drug. With a net worth of $1.7 billion, the family ranked no. 14 in the list of Forbes Asia’s Philippines’ Richest 50 that was published in August.