Mercury Drug president Vivian Que-Azcona passes away
Mercury Group of Companies president Vivian Que-Azcona has passed away. She was 69.
Pharmaceutical company Unilab Group extended its condolences on Que-Azcona's passing on April 10.
"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," the company said in a statement.
"Ms. Que-Azcona lived with purpose and passion, ensuring only the best healthcare is accessible to Filipinos. We are grateful for the longstanding partnership with the Mercury Group of Companies for 80 years and for the privilege of having worked alongside Ms. Que-Azcona, whose integrity and care for Filipinos have been an inspiration to those around her."
University of Santo Tomas Pharmacy Dean and Philippine Pharmacists Association, Inc. president Aleth Dacanay also confirmed Que-Azcona's passing on April 5 to student publication The Varsitarian.
Que-Azcona is the eldest of the eight children of Mariano Que, who sold medicine from a humble pushcart in 1945 after World War II before he opened his first store in Bambang, Manila.
Before joining her father's business, Que-Azcona studied pharmacy in UST where she graduated summa cum laude. After, she joined her dad's company working her way through different departments like warehousing, distribution, inventory, merchandising, marketing, HR, research, finance, and more before she got appointed as Assistant General Manager in 1980, during which Mercury Drug's head office was inaugurated, and General Manager four years later.
In 1998, the heiress earned the title of president, and under her leadership, the drug store grew to a network of more than 1,200 stores all over the country and more than 15,000 employees.
Que-Azcona was part of Fobres Asia's Most Powerful Women List in 2014 and the 50 Richest Filipinos List in 2021. As of August 2024, Que-Azcona and her siblings are worth $1.7 billion (P97.6 billion), according to the business magazine. She was named the Philippines' top individual taxpayer in 2012.
She was honored with the Quadricentennial Award for Exemplary Service to UST in the university's 400th anniversary in 2011.
