Dive Brief:
- Since its well-publicized bribery scandal in China in September 2014, GSK has been working hard to grow sales—while also vigorously denying rumors of job cuts, FiercePharma reports.
- In contrast to job-cut rumors, GSK asserts that it will need to hire more people in addition to overhauling its R&D and manufacturing efforts in China.
- GSK responded to questions from FiercePharma and reiterated its long-term commitment to doing business in China, including the company's goal of increasing sales in the country this year.
Dive Insight:
Rumors of job cuts have been reported in the Chinese newspaper, Caixin, and caused a stir among employees at GSK China.
Based on reports, GSK was allegedly planning to cut roughly 1,000 jobs throughout 2015, including 450 during the first quarter alone. But GSK may actually be hiring more people as it battens down the hatches to grow sales and protect itself against future scandals involving employee misconduct.
But there's also a reason that the rumors took hold: GSK already cut 900 jobs last year, mostly in North Carolina, as part of a restructuring effort.