Viatris employees were unaware of company’s plans to shut down operations in Cork 

VIATRIS employees were unaware the company was planning to shut down its operations in Cork until Thursday morning, and there is some anger and upset at the news, a staff member told The Echo.

American pharmaceutical company Viatris announced this week its intent to wind down and close operations at its active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing plant in Little Island, which will affect the approximately 200 people who work there.

The company has said “there will be no immediate reductions” and it is anticipated that “the majority of its workforce will remain employed until early 2028 as the company winds down operations over the next several years”.

A Viatris spokesperson said that following the closure, Viatris will still maintain a significant presence in Ireland.

“The remaining operations workforce in Ireland will continue their focus on manufacturing sterile injectables at its Galway facility, which is also home to one of the company’s injectable R&D centres; producing dry powder inhalers at its world-class respiratory facility in Dublin; and manufacturing oral solid doses and other medicines at its facility in Damastown.

“Viatris will also maintain the company’s corporate office at Northern Cross, as well as its Global Device Development team, responsible for end-to-end development and commercialisation for device and combination products.”

Staff at the Cork-based facility were called to a meeting in the Radisson at 9am on Thursday with an employee telling The Echo that though they did not know what was going to be announced “there were suspicions it was very bad news” given the calling of the meeting and its location, saying “possible site closure” was suspected. The staff member explained that the company “seem open” to opportunities for Cork staff to gain employment at other Viatris sites in Galway and Dublin.

However the staff member added “very few, if any, work from home”, meaning that a move would likely mean a long commute daily or relocation as they could not work remotely and remain in Cork.

However, he said “the company have been supportive and have mentioned a comprehensive redundancy package” and said “they have been open and transparent”.

“Feeling on the ground is very mixed,” the employee said, explaining that it was “ranging from upset, angry to content/relieved to have four more years employment.”

The company said it will be working with the unions and any other employee representatives on a plan for the reduction of staff, including comprehensive redundancy packages, likely including pay and healthcare continuation, career counseling services, and continued coverage under the Employee Assistance Program, subject to consultation with the unions and possibly other employee representatives.