Pfizer Closes Two UK Manufacturing Plants, But Brexit not to Blame
Pfizer is shutting two manufacturing plants in the UK. One site to close within the next few months is at Park Royal in London, which Pfizer recently took over from Hospira.
The other is a global cold chain packaging and distribution plant in Portsmouth, which is expected to shut in 2020. In total, nearly 400 jobs could be lost.
The Big Pharma giant has refused to blame Brexit, saying the plans were in place since 2010. It is consolidating the manufacturing that is currently done in Havant to Belgium. Meanwhile, the Park Royal site would have needed significant investment. Pfizer is keeping a similar site in south London.
In announcing its decision, Pfizer continued to voice its long-held criticism for the system of drug reimbursement in the NHS. It says it takes too long for innovative medicines to be taken up, if at all.