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WASHINGTON — A new congressional caucus will look for ways to educate the public and members of Congress on how to reduce the country’s healthcare costs with affordable medicines.

Reps. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo., and Peter Welch, D-Vt., will serve as chairwoman and chairman for the Congressional Affordable Medicines Caucus, whose formation was announced Thursday.

NEW YORK — Infusium 23 hair care, which is available in more than 20,000 retail stores across the United States and Canada, has joined K Public Relations' portfolio of Idelle/Helen of Troy brands.

K Public Relations immediately will implement a national public relations campaign highlighting new product launches and Infusium 23's philosophy of a simple and effective three-step system that provides customized solutions for problem hair.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — A partner with a private equity firm that purchased preferred stock from Rite Aid in 1999 has joined the retail pharmacy chain’s board.

Rite Aid said Thursday that John Baumer, a partner with Leonard Green & Partners, had joined the board, replacing Jon Sokoloff, the firm’s managing partner, who has resigned from the board.

Leonard Green & Partners is an affiliate of Green Equity Investors III, which said it will re-elect Baumer for a one-year term at Rite Aid’s annual stockholder’s meeting on June 23.

MONTREAL — Mega Brands has entered a deal with Saban Brands to develop construction toys based on the kids' action series "Power Rangers Samurai," the latest Power Rangers franchise.

The Mega Bloks Power Rangers Samurai construction toy sets will launch in spring 2012, Mega Brands said. Mega Brands chief innovative officer Vic Bertrand said the new toys will offer fans "an engaging and immersive building experience."

New episodes of the "Power Rangers Samurai" series premiere Saturdays at noon on Nickelodeon.

RICHMOND, Va. — A blood pressure drug made by Swiss drug maker Novartis has won an award from the Healthcare Compliance Packaging Council.

Novartis Diovan HCT (valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide) won the HCPC’s Compliance Package of the Year award at the council’s RxAdherence 19th annual symposium for its Shellpak packaging design, made by product packaging manufacturer MeadWestvaco Corp. Anderson Packaging, part of AmerisourceBergen Packaging Group, handles the drug’s fulfillment.

NEW YORK — Target is setting up three distribution centers in Canada in preparation for its debut north of the border, according to a report in The Globe and Mail.

Although the retailer could have supplied the stores from its U.S. warehouses, it chose to set up a network specifically for its Canadian operations, the report said, with DCs planned for Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.

HUNT VALLEY, Md. — Procter & Gamble's CoverGirl brand has selected actress Sofia Vergara to be its newest spokesmodel.

The Emmy-nominated actress currently is shooting her first advertising campaign for the cosmetics brand. The ads are slated to debut in January 2012 and Vergara will be representing some new additions to the CoverGirl collection.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Sunrise Greetings and Dena Designs are extending their partnership with a multi-year licensing deal that will include an expanded line of gifts and greeting cards.

The expansion marks the continuation of a relationship first established in 2005 with the launch of an exclusive line of embellished cards for Sunrise Greetings. Sunrise and Dena currently offer more than 100 everyday and season-specific cards in grocery stores, pharmacies, bookstores and independent card shops throughout the United States and Canada, the companies said.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Wolfgang Puck's iced coffee is making its way to Fresh Market and Kroger stores.

WPIC, an organic, kosher and 120-calorie beverage, will arrive in Fresh Market and Kroger banner stores this June. The brand, which was developed by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck and Woodway Beverage Partners, initially launched in 2009.

WPIC is available in single-serve bottles and four packs, the companies said.

LIVERMORE, Calif. — An independent wholesale drug cooperative will promote Activant Solutions’ point-of-sale software system to its members, Activant said.

The Rochester Drug Cooperative, which services more than 950 retail pharmacies, long-term care pharmacies and healthcare stores in the Northeast and Ohio, will recommend the Activant Eagle system its members. Activant Eagle allows independent pharmacies to manage all parts of their operation, including point-of-sale, inventory management, financials, purchasing, payroll and marketing.

SHELTON, Conn. — Banana Boat has teamed up with The Skin Cancer Foundation to raise funds for skin cancer education initiatives through a new Facebook promotion.

The sun care brand said that every consumer that takes its "sun certification" quiz on Facebook.com/BananaBoatBrand will receive a "sun certified" badge to display on their own Facebook wall and trigger a $1 donation to support The Skin Cancer Foundation's sun education initiatives, for a total donation of up to $101,000.