Pharma firm set to shed nearly 800 jobs

[Posted: Tue 18/05/2010 www.irishhealth.com]

Pharmaceutical compant Pfizer is planning to cut up to 785 jobs in Ireland as part of its worldwide rationalisation plan.

A total of 275 jobs are to go as a result of a scaling down of Pfizer's operation in Newbridge, Co. Kildare.

In addition, the company plans to sell off two plants in Cork and one in Dun Laoghaire in the next few years with a potential loss of a further 510 jobs.

Pfizer said it was committed to making a concerted effort to sell the sites it proposes to close as ongoing operations.

The company, which is Ireland's Ireland's biggest major multinational employer, employs 5,000 people in Ireland.

The job cuts are part of a planned global consolidation of the company's operations following the acquisition of its competitor, Wyeth, last year.

Pfizer is planning to reduce its global workforce by 6,000.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O'Keeffe TD, has said he deeply regretted the Pfizer job losses. "Although the company plans to cut its global headcount by 6,000, Pfizer remains a major multinational employer in Ireland, with more than 4,200 workers involved in the manufacture of high-end products for the life science industry worldwide," he said.