IBEC welcomes Cork jobs

Pharmachemical Ireland, the IBEC group that represents the pharmaceutical and chemicals industry has welcomed the announcement by GlaxoSmithKline Beecham that 150 new jobs are to be created at its plant in Carrigaline, Co Cork.

Pharmachemical Ireland director Matt Moran said: “This announcement clearly shows that Ireland remains a location of choice for new investment. It is vital that Ireland continues to wins investment in new high tech products such as these if it is to maintain it leading global position.”

“We must ensure that there remains compelling reasons for the major manufactures to stay and expand their operations here.

"Pharmaceutical and chemical exports were valued at over €40bn by the CSO last year and the IDA estimates that the sector has invested over €12bn in capital since the industry first arrived in Ireland in the late 1960s. Nine of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies in the world have operations in Ireland," he said.

GSK already employs 1,400 people in Ireland, including between 600 and 700 people at the Co Cork site.

It produces pharmaceutical ingredients and has been in Cork for the past 32 years.

The new investment will enable the Carrigaline facility to manufacture the active pharmaceutical ingredient for Tykerb - the breast cancer drug just approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

GlaxoSmithKline Beecham also operates a second plant in Dungarvan, Co Waterford.