The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
Manufacturing Manufacture Of Chemicals And Pharamceuticals Manufacture Of Basic Pharmaceutical Products And Pharmaceutical Preparations 21 - Manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations
250 jobs Number of planned job losses
Announcement Date
22 January 2007
Employment effect (start)
Foreseen end date
Description
Drug manufacturer Pfizer is to cut 250 jobs in the UK at its sites in Sandwich (Kent) and Tadworth (Surrey). The world's biggest drugs company employs 6,000 people at these sites. The firm blamed financial deficits in the NHS for the cuts. Unions said claims NHS deficits had prompted jobs cuts were 'disingenuous'.
Linda McCulloch, spokeswoman for trade union Amicus, said: 'Pfizer is one of the biggest and richest companies in the world.'
'This announcement is clearly part of a massive global cost-cutting exercise.'
'Just last week we were given reassurances that the future of the UK workforce was secure.'
'We are pressing the company to meet us as a matter or urgency to reassure our members - their long-serving workforce - that their jobs are not at risk.'
Company spokesman Joel Morris said some people from abroad may be redeployed to Sandwich but numbers could not be predicted.
'We have told 50 colleagues who work in obesity research at Sandwich that their roles will be affected,' he said.
'These people are highly skilled scientists and we are hoping that we can retain them in Sandwich.'
A Pfizer statement said NHS deficits had resulted in increased use of older, cheaper generic drugs.
'This shift away from prescription of newer, more effective medicines has caused Pfizer to reconsider the number of roles required to support the UK business,' it said.
It said Amicus had not yet asked for a meeting with the company.
Sources
24 January 2007: BBC News
Citation
Eurofound (2007), Pfizer, Internal restructuring in United Kingdom, factsheet number 64848, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/64848.
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