Despite Assertions to the Contrary Novartis Lays Off 1,400 Sales Reps

Despite public assertions made by Novartis a mere eight days ago that it would not be eliminating thousands of jobs, the company today announced that it was eliminating 1,400 sales reps. Roughly 1,150 jobs will be cut from its primary care division—which is being consolidated into three units from four in the US—and another 250 from psychiatric and neuroscience. No jobs will be eliminated from Novartis’ headquarters in Hanover, NJ. While the job cuts announced today were not in the thousands (almost) it isn’t clear whether or not more are to come.

According to a post on today’s Pharmalot blog:

"Novartis had attempted to dampen speculation that a huge bloodletting was imminent after Roche disclosed plans to axe 4,800 jobs worldwide (back story) and, in fact, Joe Jiminez, the CEO, had written on his internal blog that news reports about big layoffs were inaccurate. Technically, the Novartis reduction is not in the thousands, but the number is still large and, essentially, confirms concerns that have been expressed over the past month at CafePharma, the online forum where reps dish the dirt (look here)."

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More Changes at Novartis

Earlier this year, Dan Vasella, the longtime CEO of the Swiss drug maker Novartis, announced that he was resigning his CEO position to assume a full time role as the Chairman of the company’s board of directors. Joe Jimenez, an American, was appointed as the new CEO.

Today, Novartis announced the departure of Ludwig Hanston, the CEO of the US pharma business unit for the past two years. In addition to his departure, four new business units will be formed and 250 employees will lose their jobs effective May 1, 2010.

The four new business units are being formed to more accurately reflect the needs of patient populations. The new business units include 1) Primary Care, 2) Multiple Sclerosis, 3) Psychiatry/Neuroscience and 4) Respiratory/Transplant/Infectious Disease.

For a more detailed explanation of the changes taking place at Novartis please read the post on today’s Pharmalot blog.

Hat tip to Ed.

Until next time…

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!