PALM BEACH, Fla. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores bestowed the chain drug industry’s highest honors on three “industry icons” at its annual meeting here last month.

Greg Wasson, former president and chief executive officer of Walgreen Co., received the Sheldon W. Fantle Lifetime Achievement Award.

Two industry veterans received the Robert B. Begley Award. They are David Heist, director of industry affairs and customer relations at Bayer Consumer Care, and Lou Martire, vice president of trade and industry development for Energizer Household Products, Energizer Holdings Inc.

Wasson joined Walgreens in 1980 as a pharmacy intern while a student at Purdue University’s School of Pharmacy. He managed retail pharmacies in Houston and was named regional vice president of store operations. He later assumed executive roles in the Walgreens Health Initiatives division. Under his leadership, Walgreens updated its retail pharmacy operations, added 1,600 stores and acquired the New York pharmacy chain Duane Reade. Wasson also identified Alliance Boots GmbH as a partner that would combine with Walgreens to create “the first global, pharmacy-led health and well-being ­enterprise.”

“Greg Wasson is fully deserving of this lifetime recognition award,” said NACDS president and CEO Steve Anderson. “I valued Greg’s astute industry vision when we worked together during his tenure as NACDS chairman.”

Heist, who is retiring this month, served for 20 years in his position with Bayer. He previously held sales and trade relations positions with SmithKline, Vita-Fresh Vitamin Co., Mennen Co. and other ­companies.

Martire retires this month after 42 years at Energizer.