Merck accelerates cuts to U.S. sales force
Executive Summary
Merck is cutting 1,200 U.S. sales positions as it transitions to a new commercial model, the company announces May 5. The action is an acceleration of planned efficiencies under its "Plan to Win" cost-savings program, announced in 2005, the firm said (1"The Pink Sheet" Dec. 19, 2005, p. 3). With the most recent lay offs, Merck will have eliminated 1,600 positions, or 20 percent, of its sales force