Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) plans to close a factory with the loss of 620 jobs following a review of its activities, the firm has announced.
The site in Dartford, Kent, is earmarked for closure in 2013 because two of its largest products have been hit by a "substantial" decline in forecast demand.
The company said the two products, for treating epilepsy and herpes, accounted for 60% of total manufacturing at the Dartford plant.
Joe Foley, site director at Dartford, said: "GSK regrets the impacts this proposal would have on employees and the local community, with whom we have built strong links over many years.
"As always, we will treat employees fairly and will provide appropriate support to help our staff through this difficult period.
"The proposal is no reflection on the professionalism and commitment of Dartford employees, but that of the fiercely competitive environment in which the pharmaceutical industry operates."
