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Maximiliano Leonardo Asturias, founder of the Mexican pharmacy chain Farmacias del Ahorro, passed away on Sunday at the age of 96, according to statements released by the company and business chambers. Farmacias del Ahorro and the National Chamber of Commerce, Services, and Tourism of the City of Mexico (Canaco) confirmed the death on Monday, recognizing the businessman as a foundational pillar in the country’s retail pharmaceutical sector and community health initiatives.
Legacy and Growth of Farmacias del Ahorro
Maximiliano Leonardo Asturias established the foundation for the retail network in 1976 by opening Farmacia Regia in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, according to historical accounts provided by expansion.mx. After operating a regional chain for more than a decade, he leveraged his prior professional experience as a pharmaceutical laboratory representative to launch the Farmacias del Ahorro concept on September 14, 1991, alongside his son, Antonio Leonardo Castañón, as reported by oem.com.mx.
The business model focused on offering medications at accessible prices through high-volume sales rather than high profit margins. Over three decades of operations, the enterprise expanded significantly. Data cited by expansion.mx and oem.com.mx indicate that the company operates a network of approximately 2,000 branches across Mexico, supported by a workforce of more than 19,000 employees. In Expansión’s 2025 ranking of Mexico’s 500 most important companies, Farmacias del Ahorro secured the 90th position.
Corporate and Community Tributes
Corporate leadership and external organizations issued formal notices mourning the death of the founder. In an official Instagram post, Farmacias del Ahorro stated, “Gracias, don Max, por enseñarnos que cuidar al otro es el acto de amor más puro. Su gran calidad humana, visión, sencillez, experiencia, sabiduría y su vocación por la salud de México vivirán para siempre en cada hogar y en todos los que colaboramos en esta su empresa.”
The National Chamber of Commerce, Services, and Tourism of the City of Mexico (Canaco), led by Vicente Gutiérrez Camposeco, expressed profound consternation over the loss, acknowledging the entrepreneur’s impact on the commerce sector. Additionally, the Center for Rehabilitation and Children’s Inclusion Teletón (CRIT) in Chiapas published a statement expressing condolences and highlighting the entrepreneur’s involvement in social projects, including collaboration with Fundación Teletón to support medical and community initiatives in the region.
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