UK drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline says it is embarking on a
significant staff restructuring that could include redundancies in its
Kenya operations.
The pharmaceutical firm said the
restructuring follows a decision last year to create a new operating
model for its African markets business to boost its competitiveness.
The Africa job cuts will involve more than 20 countries in the continent, the company said.
The Africa job cuts will involve more than 20 countries in the continent, the company said.
The plan is spearheaded by chief executive Emma Walmsley and is aimed at cutting costs.
Reorganisation
A report by Reuters quoted the drugmaker
saying it will, as part of the reorganisation, stop marketing and
promotion to healthcare professionals and will instead opt for
distributors in 29 sub-Saharan markets.
The move will lead to job losses, a company spokesman confirmed but declined to give a number.
The Business Daily’s efforts to reach GlaxoSmithKline Kenya office were unsuccessful by the time this story was published.
The
multinational said it, however, plans to keep running its local
operations in Kenya and Nigeria, according to the Reuters report.
GlaxoSmithKline
has a production facility on Likoni Road in Nairobi’s Industrial Area.
The company said it would also retain offices in Ivory Coast and Ghana.
30 programmes
Ms
Walmsley, who took over in April, has announced plans to terminate or
divest more than 30 drug-development programmes and offload 130 brands
while Glaxo takes steps to reduce costs and revamp its research and
development.
She has also reportedly already replaced about 50 of 125 managers as she seeks to revamp the drugmaker.
The
company’s former CEO Andrew Witty, had nearly four years ago unveiled
plans to invest about Sh18.4 billion in Africa and create at least 500
jobs.
Glaxo’s existing business in Africa at the time
employed about 1,500 people in more 40 countries, including at
manufacturing sites in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.
The multinational plans to ensure the changes don’t disrupt patients’ access to its drugs.
No comments :
Post a Comment