This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/kent/7722326.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Hundreds of jobs go at Glaxo site | Hundreds of jobs go at Glaxo site |
| (38 minutes later) | |
| The pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is to close its factory in Kent in 2013 with the loss of hundreds of jobs. | The pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is to close its factory in Kent in 2013 with the loss of hundreds of jobs. |
| About 620 people are expected to be affected when the Dartford site closes. | About 620 people are expected to be affected when the Dartford site closes. |
| The firm, which employed 3,000 people at the site 10 years ago, blamed the closure on the termination of patents. | The firm, which employed 3,000 people at the site 10 years ago, blamed the closure on the termination of patents. |
| Its patent for the production of an epilepsy drug has just expired and another for a treatment for herpes is due to expire next year. | Its patent for the production of an epilepsy drug has just expired and another for a treatment for herpes is due to expire next year. |
| 'Sad day' | 'Sad day' |
| Dartford MP Dr Howard Stoate said: "They've employed a huge number of people, they've been a major force in Dartford for good and I think this is going to be a big blow to the area. | Dartford MP Dr Howard Stoate said: "They've employed a huge number of people, they've been a major force in Dartford for good and I think this is going to be a big blow to the area. |
| "They've been major training employers, they really have been a good company and I think this is going to be a really sad day for the region." | "They've been major training employers, they really have been a good company and I think this is going to be a really sad day for the region." |
| The loss of patents mean that cheaper generic versions of their products can be manufactured elsewhere. | The loss of patents mean that cheaper generic versions of their products can be manufactured elsewhere. |
| GSK said the two drugs accounted for 60% of its manufacturing at the Dartford site and it was now consulting with unions over the job losses. | GSK said the two drugs accounted for 60% of its manufacturing at the Dartford site and it was now consulting with unions over the job losses. |
| Site manager Joe Foley said: "We're not configured correctly for the new generation of products that are coming along." | Site manager Joe Foley said: "We're not configured correctly for the new generation of products that are coming along." |
| Asked if the 120-year-old factory could be adapted, he said: "It would be very, very expensive. It would be long and drawn out and we have alternative facilities around the globe to do those particular presentations - vaccines and bio-farms." | Asked if the 120-year-old factory could be adapted, he said: "It would be very, very expensive. It would be long and drawn out and we have alternative facilities around the globe to do those particular presentations - vaccines and bio-farms." |
| The firm, which is the world's second largest drug-maker, announced in July that its Sussex site would close in 2011 with the loss of 493 jobs. | The firm, which is the world's second largest drug-maker, announced in July that its Sussex site would close in 2011 with the loss of 493 jobs. |
| Advertisement | |
| The factory's closure has been blamed on the loss of two exclusive patents |