BRIEF—Merck & Co to cut hundreds of sales jobs in the USA

New Jersey-based Merck & Co has announced it will cut 1,800 sales jobs as part of a restructuring program.

At the same time, the company will create a chronic care sales force with 960 new positions, focusing on the firm’s diabetes, respiratory, sleep and women's health products.

The new team will work on marketing products such as Januvia (sitagliptin) and Belsomra (suvorexant).

Merck recently announced it would discontinue development of the CETP inhibitior anacetrapib.

Last month Eli Lilly & Co revealed it would cut 3,500 jobs in a downsizing operation.