Johnson & Johnson will cut 900 positions at its Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals unit by the end of the second quarter.
According to Kara Russell, a J&J spokesperson, the reduction is part of an overarching corporate strategy focused on dealing with a shift in the pharmaceutical landscape—particularly with respect to the way doctors interact with drug companies.
“Physicians have really begun to voice how they would like to receive [product] information, and when and where they’d like to receive it,” said Russell.
The elimination of 900 positions does not necessarily mean that 900 employees will lose their jobs, noted Russell. Some of the positions will be eliminated through attrition and hiring freezes, she said.
The J&J move follows many other pharma restructurings and reorganizations that usually shed jobs. Increased generic competition, coupled with relatively barren pipelines, has spurred consolidation and mergers across the industry.
“We’re taking into consideration what is best for our multiple stakeholders,” said Russell.
From the May 01, 2009 Issue of MM+M - Medical Marketing and Media
