In case any of you missed it, the Wall Street Journal just published a moving piece (click here to read) on pharma layoffs and their impact on the individual, in particular the chemists behind the small molecule drug.
The article examines layoffs at Ann Arbor, Mich. research labs and spotlights Bob Sliskovic, head of chemistry R&D at Ann Arbor, who was instrumental in the development of Pfizer's blockbuster drug, Lipitor.
A former colleague at Ann Arbor reportedly has counseled his two college-aged sons never to work for a drug company.
No doubt Mr. Sliskovic and many of his colleagues will land other positions within a year, as did Derek Lowe, but one has to wonder what will happen as the downsizing and outsourcing trend continues. Does it benefit the U.S. to set adrift a generation of its best and most highly skilled pharma researchers?
AMS
