Saint Paul’s School of Ormoc Foundation, Inc.

Apitong St., Brgy. Punta, Ormoc City

(053) 255-4712 | getinfo@spsormoc.edu.ph

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT | S. Y. 2020-2021

How Mariano Que built Mercury Drug with P100

From a wooden pushcart to 1,000 stores nationwide, the late Mariano Que peddled pharmaceutical products for Filipinos for over 7 decades,
leading to the creation of the country's largest drug store chain, Mercury Drug Corporation. He was not born rich like other successful
entrepreneurs. Que came from humble beginnings. As a survivor of World War II, he was orphaned and was deprived of the chance to study
early on. The Mercury Drug founder, who just passed away, initially worked as an employee of a drug store chain during the pre-war era. After
the devastation of World War II, Que knew Filipinos needed Sulfiathiazole – a "miracle" drug used to cure many diseases and illnesses. But
since pharmacies that time hardly sold Sulfiathiazole, Que then decided to invest his P100 to buy the drug and sell these in single doses to
reach the poverty-stricken communities. Selling Sulfiathiazole by individual pieces, Que was able to save enough to open up the first outlet of
Mercury Drug in Bambang, Manila on March 1, 1945. Que set himself apart by building a reputation for quality products and fair prices in a
market that was filled with sellers who sometimes sold fake, expired, out of date, or even dangerous medicines at exorbitant prices.
https://www.rappler.com/business/mariano-que-mercury-drug-founder

Question:
What major sources of opportunity Manuel Que used in establishing
Mercury Drug Corporation?