A giant drugs company is to close one of its sites in the area, leading to 620 job losses.

GlaxoSmithKline has announced it is to close its manufacturing site in Dartford by 2013.

The proposed closure, which is subject to consultation with trade union and staff representatives, would result in the loss of around 620 jobs at the site over the next four years.

The company blames the bad news on patent expiries for the Dartford site’s two largest products, which are Lamictal for epilepsy/bipolar disorder and Valtrex for herpes. The products currently account for 60 per cent of total volumes manufactured at the site.

A spokesman for GSK said: “The current level of manufacturing activity at Dartford is not expected to be replaced by the same level of new business, driving utilisation at the site down to an unsustainable level.”

These products and the production of new products which are currently being proposed for manufacture at the site, would transfer to other sites within GSK.

Joe Foley, Dartford site director, 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.“ He added: “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”.

GSK is one of the world’s leading research based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies.

The Dartford site manufactures active ingredients for products for the treatment of a variety of diseases including HIV/AIDS, leukaemia and malaria.

Will you be affected by its closure? if so call the newsdesk on 01689 885703