Tuesday, October 20, 2009

The Associated Press: Drugmaker AstraZeneca cutting its US sales force

Drugmaker AstraZeneca cutting its US sales force

(AP) – 9 hours ago

WILMINGTON, Del. — British drugmaker AstraZeneca PLC plans to cut its U.S. sales force by offering buyouts.

The maker of cholesterol pill Crestor and anti-psychotic drug Seroquel is asking interested sales representatives to identify themselves.

AstraZeneca last week notified its approximately 5,500 U.S. sales representatives. Spokesman Tony Jewell says AstraZeneca will know the full scope of the sales force changes in the coming weeks. The company isn't saying how many jobs will be cut.

It began a global consolidation program in 2007. Like most competitors doing so, the sales force is a logical target. That's because billion-dollar products that soon will face generic competition will need few salespeople, if any.

AstraZeneca has more than 65,000 employees worldwide.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Ed at Pharmalot broke the story

Posted via web from Jack's posterous

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