NOVI, Mich. — Chain Drug Marketing Association announced that Nancy Wharmby has been elected chairperson.  Wharmby of Bolivar, Ohio has served on the CDMA board of directors since 2012 and is now the first woman in the history of this 92 year old association to hold the Chairmanship.

Nancy Wharmby

Wharmby is the executive vice president of Medicine Center Pharmacy (MCP), which includes four retail pharmacies, one long term care pharmacy that focuses on assisted living, group homes and correctional facilities, and Half Off and Hot Buys, the company’s discount/closeout store.

A graduate of the University of Akron, Wharmby holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. She began her financial career as an auditor (CPA) with Coopers & Lybrand (now part of Price Waterhouse Coopers) before joining MCP as their corporate controller over 25 years ago.

When asked what her goals are in her new role, Wharmby said she looks forward to helping CDMA continue its mission, “There is a passion that comes with providing products and services for the good of the patient and community – just as CDMA has always been the source of support for pharmacies and other retailers searching for the solutions in a highly competitive market place. The value is in the personal relationship and the desire to work for a successful outcome.”

Lynne Fruth, president of Fruth Pharmacy and a fellow CDMA board member and shareholder commented,  “With 26 years in the retail pharmacy chain space, Nancy brings a wealth of experience to her role as the first woman elected to chair the Chain Drug Marketing Association.  Nancy’s background as an accountant will provide strong financial and organizational expertise to CDMA.”

Lanny Doud, outgoing chairman and president of QualityCare Pharmacies, a buying group that supports member pharmacies throughout the northeast, added, “I’m pleased that Nancy Wharmby has been appointed as the first female chairperson of CDMA. Nancy joined the board of directors in 2012 and has since added her many accounting skills, human resource knowledge and every day good nature to our Board. We are happy and excited to see Nancy and our board take CDMA to the next level in our marketplace”.