EMPLOYEES at a pharmaceutical company have been dealt a massive blow just weeks before Christmas, as it was announced dozens of staff would lose their jobs.

More than 40 staff at Catalent have been told this week that they are to be without a job by the end of the year, along with several temporary staff.

It has been confirmed by the company, which employs 500 staff at its base in Frankland Road, Blagrove Industrial Estate, that the job losses come as a result of restructuring at the site.

A spokesman for the company said: “Due to changes in volume demand, Catalent is in the process of restructuring the Swindon facility.

“After implementing other measures, including the removal of temporary positions, Catalent has announced that it will be reducing its headcount by 45 permanent roles and has entered into consultation talks with employees through its Employee Forum regarding the need for restructuring at the facility.

“Catalent is committed to working with all impacted staff during this process and will make all necessary assistance is available to all employees.

“The Swindon site is a key part of the Catalent network dedicated to the development and supply of important medicines to patients globally.”

The site, which covers around 158,000 sq ft, is divided between the development and production of fast dissolving tablet technologies and chemistry, manufacturing and controls pharmaceutical analytical laboratories.

This is not the first time that the company has cut staff. In 2010, staff were told that 50 roles would be made redundant.

That came 10 months after workers at Catalent were told that 275 staff were to be laid off during the next two years.

In 2008, the company – which was known as Cardinal Health – announced that it would be introducing a new production line, creating 40 new jobs.

The company produces more than a billion tablets a year.