LAST UPDATE | 11 Dec 2020

ALMOST 450 JOBS are at risk a result of the closure of a pharmaceutical plant in Baldoyle, Dublin.

The closure comes as Viatris announced a major restructuring plan that will cut 20% of its global workforce of 45,000 people, some 9,000 jobs in total.

The plan is to be implemented over the next two years with the Baldoyle site among five that were confirmed to close today. 

In a statement, Viatris confirmed that manufacturing will close at the facility at the end of 2022. 

“It is anticipated that the majority of its workforce at the Baldoyle site will remain employed until late 2022 as the company winds down operations over the next two years,” the company said in response to queries from TheJournal.ie. 

Viatris said it will be offering “comprehensive separation packages” and the company has also said it will “seek to find potential buyers” for the sites that are closing. 

The Baldoyle plant was involved in the manufacturing of oral medicines under the company formerly known as Mylan.

Viatris was formed following the merger of Mylan and Pfizer subsidiary Upjohn, a move that was completed last month.

The Baldoyle plant employees some 440 people. 

Viatris also operates a plants in Mulhuddart in Dublin, Inverin in Galway, Little Island in Cork and a corporate office in Northern Cross in Dublin. It currently employs a total of 1,500 staff across the country.

The company says it will “still maintain a significant presence in Ireland” after the Baldoyle closure. 

“The phasing out of manufacturing operations at the legacy Mylan oral solid dose facility in Baldoyle was a decision Viatris did not take lightly, and the leadership of Viatris is committed to working with public officials and the community to identify appropriate potential alternatives for the site if at all possible,” a statement said. 

“Today’s decision in no way reflects upon the company’s genuine appreciation for the commitment and work ethic of the people in and community of Baldoyle. Viatris is grateful for the dedication exhibited at this site and its remaining workforce in Ireland will continue to play an important role in the company’s future.”