Glaxo To Reorganize US Pharma Operations
6 CommentsBy Ed Silverman // November 4th, 2008 // 10:19 am
As part of an ongoing makeover, the drugmaker tomorrow will tell its US pharma employees about a reorganization that will include still more cutbacks, sources tell us. However, a replacement for Chris Viehbacher, who runs Glaxo’s North American pharma unit but is leaving next month to head Sanofi-Aventis, will not be among the announcements.
The reorg is expected to affect sales reps, in particular. A Glaxo spokeswoman declined to discuss details, but did confirm an announcement is forthcoming. “We do have time scheulded to meet with employees to talk about the latest progress in our US effort to basically reshape the organization to be fit for the future challenges we’re facing,” she says. “It’s not a new thing that hasn’t been discussed before…This is, basically, an update on progress toward our goals here. This is more about US pharma.”
Over the past year, Glaxo has has scaled back production in different locales, eliminated a sizeable number of sales reps, eliminated R&D positions at its facilites in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and trimmed various jobs at its US headquarters in Philadelphia.
Annette Kreuger VP Pharmaceutical-Biotech Group
Wow, now there’s a surprise, layoffs in the industry! No, seriously, it makes sound fiscal sense to shed sales jobs at this point. Beyond negatively impacting the individuals who are losing their jobs, it is a positive for GSK. Great way to save some high dollars on some extremely lucrative positions. The drugs are going to sell regardless at this point. They should definitely avoid trimming any more R&D. Like its brethern, GSK needs that pipeline
humming.
biobucks
Interesting timing, a cynic might suggest its a good time to bury bad news….?
Ed Hill
another example of a pharma cut back
ol cranky
In Philly, we’ve been hearing mixed messages about GSK. No sooner do we hear about cuts to clinical R & D jobs than we hear rumors of hiring there. I haven’t heard about any layoffs, haven’t received any GSK CVs and haven’t heard that any of my staff is being recruited out so I have no idea what the truth is.
Jonny
Obama’s first day MAJOR LAYOFFS
John
“No sooner do we hear about cuts to clinical R & D jobs than we hear rumors of hiring there”
Same thing at Merck a few years ago. Fired 7000, then started hiring back. The trick is to hire people back at a lower wage. Oh and let’s not forget getting rid of all those over 40 people.