Production at the Pfizer plant in Ringaskiddy, Cork was curtailed yesterday when 140 workers went on unofficial strike. Pfizer manufactures the impotence drug, Viagra, which accounts for 15 per cent of its total output. But production of the bulk active ingredient for Viagra was not affected by yesterday's action, as it is not being manufactured at the plant at present.
The unofficial strike occurred after workers complained that they had been asked to use new machinery prior to consultation with the company. The workers involved in the dispute are members of SIPTU. The Ringaskiddy plant manufactures the base ingredient of Viagra at regular intervals. It is then shipped to France, where it is transformed into pills for the worldwide market. The plant also manufactures antibiotics as well as a number of anti-fungal and anti-depression drugs.
Apart from Viagra, Pfizer manufactures some 17 other products, the main one being Norvasc, which is used in the treatment of hypertension and angina.