Pfizer Inc. Cuts 50 Jobs at Estrogen Facility

Drugmaker Pfizer's restructuring of its estrogen extraction plant at Brandon, Man. calls for about 40 per cent fewer employees by the end of next year. The company processes conjugated estrogen from pregnant mares' urine (PMU) at Brandon to make the hormone replacement therapy Premarin, used to treat menopausal symptoms in women. Pfizer said Tuesday it plans to cut about 50 of 130 positions at the plant "gradually through to the end of 2013." The company said it "operates in a very competitive and challenging environment which requires a continual review of its operations to look for efficiencies and cost reductions by using our resources and technology more effectively."