Charles Burnett Receives Pharmacy's Highest Honor, Harold W. Pratt Award

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 17 Aug 2007 - 2:00 PDT

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During last evening's closing dinner of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Pharmacy and Technology Conference, community pharmacy presented the Harold W. Pratt Award to Charles Burnett, senior vice president of pharmacy for Costco Wholesale. The Award is considered the highest pharmacy honor.

NACDS President and Chief Executive Officer Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE, presented the award as Burnett was surrounded by his family, including his wife Barbara, daughter Vicky, son-in-law Mike, and two grandchildren Lizzie and Jake.

This annual honor, established in 1985 by the NACDS Board of Directors, recognizes and honors individuals who have contributed significantly to the advancement of community pharmacy, either directly through pharmacy operations, or through supporting the advancement of community pharmacy.

Harold W. Pratt dedicated himself to many years of service at Walgreens, becoming director of professional services. "Over the course of his 43 years of service to Walgreens, Pratt came to be recognized as the 'dean' of pharmacy professional service directors. We are proud to honor his contributions." said Anderson.

Burnett, a former U.S. Navy Corpsman who graduated first in his class at the Naval Hospital Corps School in San Diego, began his career in pharmacy after being honorably discharged in 1955. He graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.S. in pharmacy and, after working for several independent and hospital pharmacies, he accepted a position at Fed Mart Corporation.

Beginning as a staff pharmacist, he climbed the corporate ladder to pharmacy manager and eventually regional supervisor. While he worked his way up within the company, he also pursued a law degree, which he received from the University of San Diego in 1970.

After a brief stint at practicing law, Burnett became vice president and general manager of pharmacy at Fed Mart. He built Fed Mart's pharmacy business to a 75-unit, high-volume chain that pioneered value-priced pharmaceuticals. Burnett continued to challenge himself by opening his own independent chain, Save Mart.

In 1986, Costco Wholesale sought out Burnett and his extensive background to develop a pharmacy division for its wholesale operation - what would become the first pharmacy in the entire wholesale industry. Today, the division he helped to create operates over 430 pharmacies in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Burnett's contributions to advance the profession of pharmacy do not stop at his career. He and his wife, Barbara Burnett, founded the Northwest Academy for Exceptional Children. This non-profit organization was created to develop and sustain an appropriate educational, residential and lifelong community setting for individuals with Autism and other developmental disabilities.

"It is individuals like Burnett that give the field of pharmacy a sterling reputation in communities throughout the nation." Anderson stated. "His intellect, drive and compassion are to be commended. This award acknowledges only a small portion of what this distinguished individual has accomplished. We are extremely fortunate to have such a man of his character in our business."

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