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PHILADELPHIA — Market research firm Wolters Kluwer Health will acquire drug information provider Lexi-Comp, Wolters Kluwer said Wednesday. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

NEW YORK — Crossmark and Market Performance Group are looking to optimize their role in the drug industry through a new venture.

The companies announced that they have merged their respective chain drug sales businesses to form MPG Drug, which will be a division of Crossmark. With this merger, MPG Drug now will be the largest provider of headquarter sales and retail services in the U.S. drug industry, the companies said, by providing growth solutions in a timely manner.

OAKLAND, Calif. — A third-party certifier of Fair Trade consumer products said that 2010 saw an increase of such products on the market.

Fair Trade USA said that the Fair Trade market in 2010 saw a boost in both new and existing product categories. New products included apparel, green peppers, vodka and a wide array of herbs, spices and extracts. What's more, Fair Trade coffee and cocoa continued to expand. Fair Trade USA certified nearly 109 million lbs. of Fair Trade coffee, while nearly 3.9 million lbs. of cocoa received Fair Trade certification.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hallmark is touting postage-paid greeting cards for Mother's Day.

The greeting card maker said it has developed 90 postage-paid greetings specifically for Mother's Day, ranging from $2.69 to $3.99.

Hallmark postage-paid greetings feature the U.S. Postal Service's Intelligent Mail bar code on the front of the envelope, the company said. When the cards are processed at a Postal Service facility, the bar code automatically indicates to the Postal Service that the postage is paid.

Hallmark cards are available in retailers nationwide.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new indication for an epilepsy drug made by GlaxoSmithKline, the drug maker said Monday.

CLEVELAND — Wellness retailer Max-Wellness on Tuesday partnered with Lake Health, a private not-for-profit community healthcare provider in northeast Ohio, for a summer 2011 launch of its unique Mini-Max store concept.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Newcastle Brown Ale is unveiling a series of limited-edition brews that will be available throughout the year.

The lineup includes ales that fit each season of the year:

• Newcastle Summer Ale is a golden beer that offers a subtle citrus hop aroma and a clean, refreshing flavor with a dry finish;

• Newcastle Werewolf, naturally blood-red in color, is a distinct-tasting fall ale that produces a combination of sweet berry overtones and a sudden bite of bitterness;

ARLINGTON, Va. — Distributors of specialty drugs save the healthcare industry an estimated $3.5 billion per year by using extensive measures to ensure safe delivery, according to a new report by the Center for Healthcare Supply Chain Research, the research foundation of the Healthcare Distribution Management Association.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — TalkingRain Beverage said it is bringing its Sparkling Ice brand to Kroger stores and the retailer's other supermarket banners.

Sparkling Ice will hit the shelves of Kroger, King Soopers, Ralphs, QFC, Fred Meyer, Frys, Dillons and Smith's across the country. Sparkling Ice, which blends together mountain spring water, fruit juice and carbonation, is available in orange mango, black raspberry, lemon lime, pomegranate berry, pink grapefruit and kiwi strawberry flavors, and in 17-oz. and 1-liter containers.

HAWTHORNE, N.Y. — Taro said that the Food and Drug Administration has declared the drug maker's manufacturing facility in Canada as having acceptable regulatory status.

The drug maker said it diligently worked to resolve issues noted in an FDA warning letter dated Feb. 5, 2009. The regulatory agency reinspected the manufacturing facility last February.

RACINE, Wis. — Consumers looking for containers that are designed to store, heat and serve can look no further than Ziploc's latest innovation.

Ziploc VersaGlass products are designed to go from the fridge to the microwave or oven — at temperatures of up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit — and straight to the dinner table, the company said. The containers also are dishwasher-safe and available in six sizes, ranging from $4.19 to $8.99, or in a variety pack of three containers for $17.99.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — Drug maker AP Pharma has appointed two new executives and may receive financing of up to $4.5 million, the company said Monday.

AP announced the appointment of John Whelan as president, CEO and director, and Michael Adam as SVP and COO.