Mariano Que

Mariano Que was a Filipino entrepreneur and pharmacist who is best known as the founder of Mercury Drug, the largest drugstore chain in the Philippines.

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

Mariano Que was born in the Philippines in the early 20th century. He pursued his education in the field of Pharmacy, which laid the foundation for his future career in the pharmaceutical industry.

Career[edit | edit source]

After World War II, Mariano Que started his career by selling sulfa drugs, a type of antibiotic, from a pushcart in the streets of Manila. Recognizing the need for affordable and accessible medicines in the post-war era, he established the first Mercury Drug store in 1945. The store was named after Mercury, the Roman god of commerce and travel, symbolizing the company's commitment to service and accessibility.

Mercury Drug pioneered several innovations in the Philippine retail drug trade, such as the 24-hour pharmacy service and the "tingi-tingi" or retailing system, which allowed customers to buy medicines in smaller quantities. Under Que's leadership, Mercury Drug grew from a single store into the largest drugstore chain in the Philippines, with over 1,000 stores nationwide.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Mariano Que's contributions to the Philippine pharmaceutical industry have been widely recognized. He was awarded the Rafael B. Buenaventura Achiever's Award in Retailership by the Philippine Retailers Association in 2005. His vision and entrepreneurial spirit continue to guide Mercury Drug's operations and service philosophy.