Job shedding through consolidation in the pharmaceutical industry is set to continue, according to Martin Anderson, director at Carrot Pharma Recruitment.

As AstraZeneca cuts 1,250 posts from its UK operations as it refocuses its business operations, Anderson told Recruiter that the sector is experiencing a period of change as pharma companies scrutinise their drug pipelines and continually look for areas of efficiency.

AstraZeneca has announced that it is to cut some of its cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, oncology, inflammation, neuroscience and infection research. Due to this refocus, its research and development site in Charnwood is to close along with a smaller Cambridge operation acquired with biopharmaceutical company Kudos.

Pharmaceutical work will also cease at its Avon facility with some roles moved to its Cheshire operations. AstraZeneca adds that it is interested in selling London operation Arrow Therapeutics.

Anderson says: “There are fewer drugs coming through the pipelines and so the pharma companies need to think smarter and much of the change has been to do with this rather than any hangover from the recession.

“Some examples of change are sales teams being replaced by e-marketing, more investment in market access initiative (ensuring they secure reimbursement for their drugs) and mergers & acquisitions remaining a realistic option for the large companies looking to explore possible synergies. This change has been going on for several years now and is likely to continue for a few more yet.”