PALM BEACH, Fla. — Charles Burnett, senior vice president of pharmacy at Costco Wholesale Corp., has been recognized for lifetime achievement by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS).

Charles Burnett, senior vice president of pharmacy at Costco Wholesale Corp., has been recognized for lifetime achievement by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS).

Burnett was presented with the Sheldon W. Fantle Lifetime Achievement Award this week at the 2010 NACDS Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Fla.

A retail pharmacy leader since the 1950s, Burnett has held several key positions in the industry and beyond pharmacy, according to NACDS. From his service with FedMart and Save Mart Supermarkets to his years developing and expanding Costco Pharmacies, he has been a pharmacy pioneer.

The association noted that Burnett was instrumental in opening the first Costco pharmacy in 1986 and overseeing the opening and operations of the nearly 500 other locations.

Burnett is the only person to receive both the NACDS Harold W. Pratt Award as well as the Fantle Lifetime Achievement Award.

Established in 1989, the Lifetime Achievement Award was renamed in 1996 in honor of the late Sheldon "Bud" Fantle of People’s Drug Stores. The Pratt Award, named after Walgreens executive Harold Pratt, recognizes individuals who have contributed significantly to the advancement of community pharmacy.