Sanofi reportedly planning job cuts in Japan

Sept. 30, 2019

Facing pressure to cut costs, Sanofi is reportedly looking at axing around 200 jobs in Japan.

Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that the job cuts will target regulatory affairs, sales and operations.

The news comes just months after the French drugmaker said it would eliminate about 500 jobs in Germany and France. Just weeks ago, news also surfaced that Sanofi was also exploring its options in Bangladesh — where it has operated for 60 years — and could opt to exit the country entirely, putting around 1,000 jobs in jeopardy.  

Sanofi has struggled with generics competition in recent years as well as downward pricing pressure on its diabetes and cardio portfolios. 

The source told Reuters that, “Sanofi Japan plans to implement a voluntary retirement program in order to adapt to the external environment changes and to transform our business models to continue our growth.”

The company employed around 104,266 people worldwide in 2018 — a decrease from its 106,566 workforce in 2017.

Read the Reuters report.