Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis has again drastically reduced its workforce in the United States to deal with the expiry of an important patent and its failure to get traction on other drugs, the firm said on Friday.

Read the full article: Novartis cuts 2,000 US jobs after patent loss

According to the article:

2012 worldwide pharmaceutical industry will lose 50 billions. Will be tough.

Like has been to banking industry in last 4 years.

So people needing the drugs will actually save a big part of that 50 billion.

And lose their job in the same time.

Wow, this is really bad news for Switzerland. Novartis is a big company with an otherwise good reputation. I feel bad for these people who's entire lives will change. I am sure this sudden increase in the unemployment rate will impact the # of permits available here!

Really? Would you like to explain how that will happen?

Yeah, you havent been reading the article carefully. There will (for now) be no impact on swiss jobs.

I'm glad a lot of these drugs are going to be available cheaper...Novartis and whatever other company will still be selling the patent expired drugs, they just will have competition for it.