Pfizer emerging markets growth lagged in the first quarter, something executives said would turnaround for the rest of the year. But it was almost more interesting for what they didn’t say about how AstraZeneca would fit into the emerging markets picture – particularly because the British firm had solid first quarter results in those markets, especially China.

Pfizer, Novartis and Abbott reportedly are battling to buy out family-owned Ache, Brazil’s leader in prescription drug sales.

Pfizer, Novartis and Abbott reportedly are battling to buy out family-owned Ache, Brazil’s leader in prescription drug sales. Plus deals involving AstraZeneca and AlphaCore, Pfizer and Bind Therapeutics and Merck and Ra Pharma.

David Simmons, head of established products and emerging markets at Pfizer, has jumped ship to lead global CRO PPD Inc. Olivier Brandicourt, currently head of primary care at the big pharma, will take Simmons’ place.