Pfizer to shutter troubled plants in India

Jan. 9, 2019

Pfizer has decided to call “time of death” on two Indian plants the company took over after its acquisition of Hospira in 2015.  

One of the plants, located in Irungattukottai, has been riddled with compliance issues, starting with a Form 483 from the FDA in 2013. At the time, the agency listed 11 violations for the injectables facility and accused the company’s employees of doctoring test samples to achieve desired results.  

Pfizer said it will also close down its penicillin and bulk penem ingredients plant in Aurangabad. 

The decision threatens jobs for the 1,700 employees at both plants, but Pfizer hasn’t disclosed its plans for the positions.  

Pfizer did say, however, that it is planning to expand production at another plant in India — located in Vizag — which focuses on products for export markets. 

Read the full report.