One of the first lessons in life that children learn is that getting sick isn’t fun, and going to the pharmacy isn’t too exciting either. In 2004, pharmacist Charles Tabouchirani decided to change that by opening Cherry’s Pharmacy, a store that specializes in dealing with children. The store is small — 550 sq. ft. — but a bright mural, a collection of toys and an electric model train that travels in a loop along the wall make an inviting waiting room for Cherry’s core customers.

According to Biotab Nutraceuticals chief marketing officer Robert Wilhovsky, there is seasonality within sleep aids. Biotab fielded the No. 3 sleep aid Alteril in food, drug and mass (without Walmart) with dollar growth of more than 126% for the 12 weeks ended April 15, according to SymphonyIRI Group data. Drug Store News caught up with Wilhovsky to talk about how Biotab approaches the overall sleep category, and how the company helps drive its sleep aid solution through key selling periods.

SIFE, a global nonprofit that works with leaders in business and higher education to mobilize university students to improve the quality of life and standard of living of individuals and communities in need, hosted a reception on Monday — with co-hosts Mark Cosby, president of CVS/pharmacy, and Mark Wagner, president of operations and community management for Walgreens — for attendees of the 2012 NACDS Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Fla.

A lot has happened across GlaxoSmithKline’s consumer division in the past year. Drug Store News spoke with GSK Consumer chief marketing officer John Graham and chief customer officer Keith Loranger about the next move to be made out of the consumer division’s new playbook.

It was about a year ago that GlaxoSmithKline organized a dedicated sales team in support of community pharmacy. Drug Store News met with Jack Bailey, GSK SVP policy payers and vaccines, to discuss the progress of that team and the focus being discussed here at NACDS Annual.

The Drug Store News Group on Sunday co-hosted a breakfast with CVS Caremark to celebrate DSN’s March 12 “Category of One” issue. Larry Merlo, CVS Caremark president and CEO, shared with attendees CVS’ focus on leveraging personalization opportunities, through both marketing and assortment, to engender loyalty. Suppliers also were introduced to new CVS/pharmacy president Mark Cosby.

The Opening Celebration at the 2012 NACDS Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Fla.

At the Cabanas at the 2012 NACDS Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Fla.

Click here to see Sunday's Cabana shots

More than 250 executives who joined Anda for its 5th Annual Supply Chain Symposium in Palm Beach, Fla., Thursday and Friday were treated to a keynote address from Larri Short, a partner in the Health Law Group at Arent Fox, who addressed pharmacy reimbursement issues; and Ralph Neas, president and CEO of the Generic Pharmaceutical Association.

In late January, DSN.TV traveled to Bentonville, Ark., for an exclusive look at what Sam's Club is doing to win in health and wellness. In part 2, VP health and family care Jason Reiser and VP consumables George Agnacian discuss two critical aspects of Sam's Club's health-and-wellness platform — prevention and solutions — and the important role suppliers play in creating a unique and relevant offering for its members.

Drug Store News and Sam's Club celebrated the release of the "Inside Sam's Club" issue of DSN, which details Sam's Club's increasingly important role in the health-and-wellness field, in a reception held with the retailer's executives and top trading partners.

In an effort to become the fastest-growing brand in the warehouse channel, Sam’s Club is positioning itself as a health-and-wellness destination through a robust portfolio of products and services — including 500-plus pharmacies, hundreds of optical and hearing centers and a three-tiered strategy built on awareness, prevention and solutions — all while giving members what they want.

For Part 2, click here.