Sanofi-Aventis defers 2,600 medical rep job cuts

French drug major Sanofi-Aventis has decided not to go ahead with cuts of some 2,600 medical representatives but has warned staff that the reductions are likely to be introduced as part of a more general restructuring program to start in September 2008. The company's French operation in particular has seen a continual fall in sales, with increased competitive pressure from generics, lower prices and removals of drugs from social security reimbursement.

Frederic Cluzel, director of social relations at the firm, said that, while Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Novartis had all announced major job reduction (Marketletters passim), this was not in the tradition of Sanofi-Aventis which preferred "to adapt as necessary, country by country, branch by branch." A difficult year is expected in 2008, following the loss of several key patents including the anti-cancer product Eloxatin (oxaliplatin) and the cholesterol-lowering drug Vasten (pravastatin). The ulcer treatment Inipomp (pantoprazole) is scheduled to lose its protection in 2009. Meanwhile, the anti-obesity agent Acomplia (rimonabant) is doing less well than expected, after the decision in France to provide only 35% reimbursement for a restricted patient population. There are also some concerns about side effects, which are restraining the level of prescribing for the product.