Pink Slips at Roche Diagnostics

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Posted: August 7, 2013

Roche Diagnostics (Indianapolis) will be cutting more jobs in its diabetes segment. For now, Roche isn’t announcing the number of positions the company will shed. However, the diagnostics giant did confirm that all the layoffs would take place at the company’s Indiana hub.

Several factors have reportedly contributed to the company’s latest cuts, reported IndyStar.com. Due to reimbursement cuts and strong pricing pressures, the consumer market for testing strips and glucose monitors has been on the decline.

"Roche's diabetes care business in the U.S. is responding by making changes to its customer service and manufacturing operations, which includes the elimination of some jobs," stated a spokesperson for the company.

Following the cuts, Roche will continue to employ more than 3,000 people in Indiana alone. However, layoffs are not new to the company. In October of last year, the company laid off 100 employees. The earlier round was designed to streamline the company’s diabetes business, shifting insulin pump research and development to Germany. However, the company’s blood glucose test development remains in Indianapolis.

While the company is taking some strong actions to combat a bearish market, it hasn’t seen any significant changes in its bottom line. During the first half of the year, the company’s bottom line dropped 5% year over year.