Vivian Que-Azcona, President of Mercury Drug, Passes Away at 69
Vivian Que-Azcona, president of Mercury Group of Companies, has recently passed away, according to Unilab Inc. She was 69 years old.
The pharmaceutical company, in a post on April 10, 6 p.m., expressed their "heartfelt condolences." "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," they added.
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Who was Vivian Que-Azcona?
Vivian Que-Azcona, born on September 1, 1955, was from a family deeply rooted in the pharmaceutical industry. She was the eldest of eight children of Mariano Que (1921–2017), the visionary Chinese-Filipino entrepreneur who founded Mercury Drug in 1945. Que-Azcona and her siblings have a total net worth of %1.7 billion as of August 2024 and were included in Forbes' Philippines 50 Richest last year.
After graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Santo Tomas, Azcona joined the family business. She began at the entry-level as a staff assistant, gradually climbing the ranks by immersing herself in all aspects of the company—from inventory and stock control to marketing and finance.
In 1980, she was named Assistant General Manager. Two years later, Mercury Drug opened its new head office in Quezon City, signaling a period of expansion and innovation. In 1984, she was promoted to Vice President and General Manager, the same year the company launched professionalization programs for its employees. By 1998, Azcona assumed the presidency.
Que-Azcona channeled her philanthropic work through the Mercury Drug Foundation, a private, non-stock, non-profit organization established and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 1983. The foundation implements a range of outreach initiatives that offer free medicines, medical services, and access to safe drinking water for underserved communities throughout the Philippines. It also provides full scholarships for pharmacy students, collaborates with schools to distribute hygiene and first aid kits, and supports feeding programs for those in need.
In September 2024, Mercury Drug officially announced that it would allow the purchase of medicines through Department of Social Welfare and Development-issued guarantee letters. This reflects the drugstore’s enduring commitment, as captured in its slogan, "The Spirit of Service Continues."
