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ROCHESTER, N.Y. — PharmaSmart International’s comprehensive blood pressure program has recently been validated in two new, independent scientific studies, the company announced today. The company also announced a partnership with Rx-30 Pharmacy System that offers an automated clinical integration of validated PharmaSmart biometrics within the patient record.

This will be a big year for implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and the National Community Pharmacists Association will track the process closely on behalf of NCPA members and the patients they serve. NCPA recently submitted comments about the ACA’s Multi-State Plans, or MSPs, being designed by the Office of Personnel Management.

ST. LOUIS — Energizer Holdings is initiating a voluntary withdrawal of the continuous spray Banana Boat sun care products identified below because of a potential risk of the products igniting on the skin if contact is made with a source of ignition before the product is completely dry, the manufacturer announced on Friday.

Affected product/UPC:   

• Banana Boat UltraMist Sport SPF 15 Continuous Spray 6 oz., 7965600979-8

• Banana Boat UltraMist Sport SPF 30 Continuous Spray 6 oz., 7965600878-4

SOLON, Ohio — Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing reported that the current drought conditions have yet to lead to an increase in food prices.

“We predict that the food-at-home index will decline for the month of July [however],” ECRM stated in a release Friday.

For a detailed look at ECRM's predictions on how drought conditions will impact food prices, click here.

Social media is an important component of ongoing brand marketing, as well as any advertising campaign for a drug store retailer or brand. Integrated communications have the most impact because earned, owned and paid media reinforce and amplify the message. All channels feed off each other; the more frequently a potential customer sees or hears about a brand or retailer, particularly in more than one context or venue, the more likely she is to remember and purchase.

WASHINGTON — Comments made by Express Scripts CEO George Paz after the pharmacy benefit manager's earnings call last week has garnered some attention from a coalition that is looking to stop the merger between ESI and fellow PBM Medco Health Solutions.

DAYTON, Ohio — While Walmart maintained the No. 1 position on Interbrand's "U.S. Most Valuable Retail Brands" list for 2012, several other retailers are moving up the ranks.

Although Walmart touts a value that's more than $139 billion, this year also marked a 2% decrease for the big box retailer, Interbrand said. Second on this year's list was Target, which holds a value of $23 billion, a 1% increase over last year.

HERSHEY, Pa. — The Academy of Food Marketing at Saint Joseph's University — which provides education for those interested in entering the retail food industry — and the Food Marketing Educational Foundation will honor Weis Markets at their 44th annual citation award dinner.

The citation award will be presented on April 14, 2012, at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pa. This year marks Weis' 100th year in business and the academy's 50th anniversary.

JACKSON, Miss. — Pharmacy retail technology services company QS/1 is working with American HealthTech, a technology provider for long-term care facilities, to provide interoperability between the two.

The companies said Monday that interoperability between QS/1 pharmacies and American HealthTech would help to eliminate waste, reduce labor for handling orders, reduce the potential for errors and automate medication refills.

NEW YORK — Retail-based health clinics represent a viable business for retailers who locate and correctly manage them, according to Kalorama Information.

The healthcare market research publisher, which is a division of MarketResearch.com, made its assessment based on the recent news that Walmart may dramatically expand its retail clinics offering.

NEW YORK — Deloitte on Monday released some disappointing news for retailers who were hoping that consumer spending might get a boost in the months leading up to the holiday season.

The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index plunged in September to its lowest level since May 2009, primarily due to a significant fall in home prices and deterioration in real wages.

The index, which comprises four components — tax burden, initial unemployment claims, real wages and real home prices — fell to 2.39 from 2.51 the previous month.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday expressed its concerns over track-and-trace systems in its comments submitted to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing, “Securing the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain.”