Pfizer will cut 6,000 jobs across its global operations by 2015.

Pfizer, one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, has today (18 May) announced that it will be shedding more than 6,000 jobs across its global network over the next five years in a mass “reconfiguring” operation.

The job losses come as the company plans to close eight of its manufacturing sites in Ireland, Puerto Rico and the US, as well as reduce operations at six other plants in Germany, Ireland, Puerto Rico, the UK and the US.

Pfizer, which is responsible for well-known household medicines such as Benadryl and Diflucan, said staff reductions were necessary in order to “increase manufacturing efficiency and lower costs”.

“The restructuring of our global plant network is critical to our efforts to remain competitive so that we can continue to meet patient needs and expand the access and affordability of our medicines,” said Nat Riccardi, Global Manufacturing President.

“Nevertheless, today’s announcement is very difficult to make because of its impact on our colleagues,” Mr Riccardi added.

In the UK, Pfizer’s Havant site is expected to be affected, while in Ireland, staff reductions will hit its plant in Newbridge and its Dublin, Loughbeg and Shanbally facilities are on the closure list.

Pfizer said that timescales for closures and redundancies are yet to be confirmed and will depend on a number of business requirements, but it would endeavour to minimise the impact on local communities.

“We are keenly aware of the impact these types of changes have on employees and their families,” Mr Riccardi said. “We will provide support to our colleagues who lose their jobs so that their transition to new careers is as smooth as possible.”