Region. Merger of pharmaceutical firms

The proposed mergers of pharmaceutical giants Pfizer and Wyeth, and Merck with Schering-Plough, will impact on the $18 billion Australian industry, with job losses in duplicated sales forces and regulatory affairs teams, and through the rationalisation of R&D and manufacturing plants, according to the Weekend Australian Financial Review. Pfizer Australia is based at West Ryde, Wyeth is at Norwest Business Park, Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) is at South Granville and Schering-Plough is at Baulkham Hills.