Pfizer to cut 2,200 members of sales staff

NEW YORK, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- Pfizer Inc., the New York company that makes Lipitor and Celebrex, will lay off about 2,200 U.S. sales personnel as it seeks to become more efficient.

News of the staff reductions, which were announced Wednesday in a news release, follows a strategic review that began in October.

"The changes we are making today will better align our sales organization to our overall customer and business needs," said Jeffrey B. Kindler, Pfizer's chief executive officer.

The company said it would offer "support services and benefits" to affected salespersons, even as it continues "reward our top performers."