Pfizer may up AZ offer; EU would tell UK to keep out of the AZ deal; China eases price controls;

@FiercePharma: Top read on FiercePharmaMarketing Weds: 10 big brands keep pumping out big bucks, with a little help from price hikes. Report | Follow @FiercePharma

@TracyStaton: Popular at FiercePharmaMarketing: Payers fret about the next drug doomsday: Pricey PCSK9 cholesterol meds. More | Follow @TracyStaton

@EricPFierce: CEO says Teva will close at least 11 plants, 15% of its network, and 16 more are being evaluated. Story | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: Drug ads miss the mark with patients who need treatment the most. Article | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> AstraZeneca ($AZN) shares rose 2% today on reports that Pfizer ($PFE) would up its takeover bid to £53 ($89.90) a share, valuing the U.K. company at $113 billion. Story

> The European Union is unlikely to allow the UK to intervene in Pfizer's ($PFE) proposed takeover of AstraZeneca ($AZN). Story

> China will ease price caps on 283 prescription drugs and 250 types of traditional Chinese medicines over concerns that there could be shortages. Story

> Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, owned by Sun Pharmaceutical, is recalling more than 160,000 bottles of venlafaxine hydrochloride extended release tablets, a generic of Pfizer's ($PFE) Effexor XR. Story

> GlaxoSmithKline ($GSK) director Sir Robert Wilson has stepped down from the board. Report

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: Qiagen dials up sales as HPV competition heats up. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev

@VarunSaxena2: Braeburn Pharmaceuticals to clinically test subdermal implant for treatment of opioid dependence. Story via FierceDrugDelivery | Follow @VarunSaxena2

@EmilyWFierce: Biotronik scores FDA approval for MRI-safe pacemaker system. Story | Follow @EmilyWFierce

@MichaelGFierce: Icon's Verisome-delivered cataract inflammation treatment enters PhIII. Release | Follow @MichaelGFierce

> Siemens eyes an IPO to spin off its hearing business. More

> St. Jude's a-fib tech aces trial as FDA awaits. Item

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Does Alder's IPO setback signal that the biotech IPO boom is ending? Story | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: 30% of preclin and PhI R&D devoted to cancer - Early-stage cancer drug pipeline booms as payers dig in for a fight. More | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: Second recent biotech buyout with a built-in CVR, after $FRX's $1.5B deal for $FURX. Article | Follow @DamianFierce

@EmilyMFierce: Glaxo, Sanofi stand ready to supply vaccines amid polio emergency. More from FierceVaccines | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> AbbVie makes a run at early EU OK for hep C cocktail. Item

> Lundbeck is buying Chelsea for $658M, with a just-in-case clause. News

> Pfizer's megamerger pitch undermined by empty promises of the past. More

Pharma Manufacturing News

> B. Braun extends recall of saline solution. Story

> FDA to start dumping low-value drugs refused entry to the U.S. News

> FDA study of generic equivalency includes drug made at banned Wockhardt plant. Piece

> NECC owners agree to pay meningitis victims $70M, insurers kick in $25M. Article

> India pharma industry moves to restore its fallen reputation, flagging exports. More

Vaccines News

> Glaxo, Sanofi ready to supply vaccines amid polio emergency. More

> AstraZeneca merger could bring the vaccines heft Pfizer's been looking for. News

> Parents not always swayed to vaccinate children during disease outbreaks. Pierce

> Sanofi's Shan5 overcomes manufacturing setback to score thumbs up from WHO. Story

> Positive H7N9 data could help Novartis hawk flu vax business. Article

And Finally... A study out of Sweden says that mentally ill people are significantly less likely to be violent if they are taking psychiatric medication. Story (sub. req.)