Merck to Fire 8,500 in Strategy Overhaul That Shifts R&D
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Merck & Co., the second-biggest U.S. drugmaker by sales, will fire 8,500 workers and revamp its research and development after seeing new medicines delayed by U.S. regulators.
The positions eliminated add to 7,500 cuts already announced, the Whitehouse Station, New Jersey-based company said in a statement today. The total amounts to 20 percent of Merck’s 81,000 workers. The company declined to break down where the dismissals will occur, saying only they will come from all areas of Merck, including R&D, sales and management.