McKesson taps chain pharmacy veteran to run Health Mart pharmacy operations

ORLANDO, Fla. McKesson Corp. has added new management expertise to its fast-growing Health Mart franchise division with the appointment of veteran chain pharmacy executive Chuck Wilson to the new post of VP pharmacy operations.

The appointment was announced at McKesson’s 2009 Pharmacy Strategies Conference here this week. The addition of Wilson — who spent nine years in pharmacy management at Walgreens and last served as VP pharmacy operations for Target Corp. — underscores the dramatic growth that has propelled Health Mart to the upper tier of drug store retailing.

As head of pharmacy operations, Wilson will focus on best-practice operating standards for the franchise chain, which has grown over the past three years from some 200 units to 2,315 member independents nationwide. The new pharmacy leader will also develop new policies and programs “to position Health Mart franchisees for increased profitability and efficiency,” the company said.

Although his career to this point has been in chain pharmacy, Wilson is no stranger to the independent side of drug store retailing. He grew up in a family that owned a retail pharmacy, says Health Mart president Tim Canning. “Chuck’s extensive expertise and operational knowledge will help drive Health Mart’s continued success as a world-class pharmacy franchise,” Canning said. “His experience behind the counter and in pharmacy operations makes him best suited to play a leadership role in taking Health Mart to the next level.”