Pfizer to reorganise manufacturing network

Pfizer has revealed plans to reorganise and restructure its pharmaceutical manufacturing network in the UK and across the world in a bid to improve efficiency.

The company is planning to scale back operations at a number of its aseptic, solid dose and biotechnology production facilities in an initiative which will lower costs, eliminate excess capacity and match production quantities to current market demand.

This is the culmination of a half-year strategic evaluation by Pfizer of its global operations following its recent merger with Wyeth.

Nat Ricciardi, Pfizer’s global manufacturing president, said this reorganisation will help the firm to position itself for the “next phase of growth”.

He added: “The restructuring of our global plant network is critical to our efforts to remain competitive so that we can continue to meet patient needs.”

Earlier this week, the company revealed a potentially groundbreaking new collaboration with Washington University School of Medicine, which will allow the academic facility to research new applications for its existing drug portfolio.