Pfizer to Cut Jobs in Puerto Rico

Drug maker Pfizer Inc. said it will eliminate another 40 workers from factories in Puerto Rico, a global pharmaceutical manufacturing hub that has seen a rising number of jobs lost in the industry in recent months. Pfizer, the world's largest drug maker, said in a statement the latest cuts will be at plants in the Puerto Rican cities of Caguas, Barceloneta and Vega Baja. Pfizer closed a plant in Arecibo in '05 and last year announced 210 layoffs in the U.S. Caribbean island territory. The statement, released recently, said the cuts are intended to reduce costs. Pfizer has about 3,000 workers in Puerto Rico making such drugs as Lipitor, Celebrex and Viagra.