Maximiliano Leonardo Asturias, founder of Farmacias del Ahorro, dies at 96

Maximiliano Leonardo Asturias, the co-founder of the major Mexican pharmacy chain Farmacias del Ahorro, has passed away at the age of 96. His death was confirmed on August 9, 2026.

Born in Guatemala in 1930, Asturias moved to Mexico in the late 1950s. After working as a medical representative for various laboratories, he established Farmacia Regia in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, in 1976. This business served as the foundation for Farmacias del Ahorro, which he officially launched in 1991 alongside his son, Antonio Leonardo Castañón.

Under his leadership, the company expanded from a regional presence in Chiapas to a national powerhouse with over 2,000 branches and approximately 19,000 employees. The business model was noted for providing accessible medication prices, 24-hour service, and integrated medical consultations. Asturias was widely recognized in the industry for his long-standing commitment to the pharmaceutical sector and public health in Mexico.