Peter Burke is promising to protect affected workers.
The Enterprise Minister is confirming there will be between 70 to 75 job losses at a Midlands Pharma company in the coming weeks.
Novo Nordisk, the company behind the diabetes and weight loss drug Ozempic, has notified Peter Burke's department of their intention to make the cuts at their Athlone plant.
Concerns are developing over the future of the sector in Ireland with around 100,000 people employed in life science, med tech and pharma roles.
However Minister Burke is certain the future of the industry is secure. The Longford Westmeath TD says the State will step up to help those affected:
Fine Gael Councillor in Westmeath John Dolan says he hopes the sector remains strong in the region:
In a statement to Midlands 103, a Novo Nordisk spokesperson said the following:
We have announced that the total number of intended workforce reductions globally is approximately 9,000. Out of respect for the employees involved, we will not share additional details about individual sites or areas. This process takes time, and our highest priority is to support our employees.
We are announcing a company-wide transformation to simplify our organisation, improve decision-making speed, and reallocate resources towards the company’s growth opportunities in diabetes and obesity. As part of this change, we are assessing all business areas and regions to simplify structures, reduce duplication, and sharpen focus. These organisational changes will allow Novo Nordisk’s teams to work more efficiently and focus on what matters most: driving innovation and reaching many more patients.
Read more: Westmeath Pharma Workers Facing Potential Job Losses
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