AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT SMITH DRUG COMPANY

Spartanburg, South Carolina-based Smith Drug Company, a wholesale pharmaceutical and medical equipment distributor, has announced it will wind down its wholesale pharmaceutical division operations prior to a sale to an unnamed company.

The closure will impact 195 employees located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Milton, Vermont, and Paragould, Arkansas. Layoffs will begin on September 30, 2026, and continue until February 28, 2027.

According to Board Chair and CEO of parent of J.M. Smith, Paula Harper Bethea, "As our industry continues to evolve, this step allows us to honor that legacy by caring for our employees, customers, and vendors and fulfilling our obligations to our shareholders. We are committed to working alongside our employees through this transition and ensuring they are treated with the respect and support they deserve. It is the Smith way.”

Change is constant, and it's coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life, nor promises of a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, at any time, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT NOVARTIS

East Hanover, New Jersey-based Novartis, a multinational pharmaceutical company, has announced its fourth round of layoffs in its multi-year global restructuring plan, targeting 8,000 positions globally.

The current reduction in force affects 322 employees at its New Jersey headquarters and is scheduled for October 2, 2026, bringing the total to 572 employees in 2026.

According to a company spokesperson, "Novartis is making changes to its field sales, patient support and marketing organizations to enhance operational efficiency and ensure we are investing resources where they can have the greatest impact. As a result, some roles are impacted. Novartis continually evaluates opportunities to align our organization with evolving patient, customer and business needs.”

Change is constant, and it's coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life, nor promises of a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, at any time, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT PERRIGO

Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Perrigo, a manufacturer of private-label over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, has announced significant layoffs and restructuring, largely tied to its struggling infant formula business and broader cost-cutting efforts, as part of a two-year plan to streamline operations and improve profitability. The company plans to permanently close its infant formula manufacturing plant in Georgia, Vermont, as part of a phased shutdown of the facility.

The closure will affect 162 employees. Manufacturing operations are expected to end by late June 2026, with the remaining jobs eventually eliminated.

Change is constant, and it's coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life, nor promises of a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, at any time, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?