Statement from Novartis on West Sussex, U.K. layoffs
Novartis UK is today announcing that it will initiate consultation on proposals to close its Horsham site in West Sussex. These proposals will impact up to 371 roles, but will be subject to an employee consultation process and final UK board approval.
We understand that this will be a difficult time for potentially affected employees, their families and the wider Horsham community given the links the company has in the area. We will work closely with everyone affected, including our associates, contractors, suppliers and local stakeholder groups, to make the process as straightforward and smooth as possible.
This potential restructure of operations at the Horsham site is the result of a global review of research operations and realignment of our other global R&D sites. The proposals are part of the company's ongoing efforts to align resources to better serve patients and customers in a challenging healthcare marketplace.
Separately, the UK pharmaceuticals division based at Frimley, Surrey, will also be announcing the proposed withdrawal of marketing and sales support for our products in diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the UK. All these products will still be available to customers and patients in the UK with no change in supply or accessibility at this time. This may impact 72 associates, most of whom are field based.
As a company, Novartis continually evaluates its resource allocation to ensure that the organisation is highly flexible and able to proactively adapt to external challenges to best meet the needs of patients and customers. Our pipeline and future potential growth are strong. However, we face challenges in today's industry. Our unified focus on growth, innovation and productivity will help us meet these challenges today and tomorrow, for the benefit of patients and customers worldwide.
This does not affect the rest of Novartis current UK business in developing, manufacturing and marketing prescription and over the counter medicines, vaccines and eye care products for patients who need them, as well as animal health products.
Novartis currently employs over 3000 people and will continue to be a major inward investor to the UK. We will retain an extensive footprint in the UK with manufacturing sites at Grimsby (Chem Ops), Liverpool (Vaccines) and Dundee (Animal Health), commercial offices in Surrey, and a team at Sittingbourne, Kent, developing patient diagnostic testing products.
About Novartis
Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools, over-the-counter and animal health products. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2012, the Group achieved net sales of USD 56.7 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.3 billion (USD 9.1 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 128,000 fulltime equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.