New jobs for swine flu drug plant

The plant produces anti viral drugs to combat swine flu

The world-wide demand for drugs to combat the swine flu pandemic has led to 30 new jobs at an Angus drugs plant.

The temporary positions have been created through a £5m programme to increase production of an ingredient for the anti-viral drug Relenza.

The new facility at the GlaxoSmithKline factory in Montrose was formally opened this week by First Minister Alex Salmond.

The plant employs 250 full-time staff, plus the 30 temporary workers.

GSK has restarted production of zanamivir, the active ingredient of Relenza, to meet the growing demand.

Mr Salmond said: "Scotland is among the best-prepared countries to deal with the effects of H1N1.

"We were among the first nations to receive supplies of the vaccine which is the best defence against this virus.

"Increasing production at the Montrose plant to double the facility's capacity is to be welcomed and will ensure Scottish manufacturing continues to deliver on the world stage."

The factory also makes ingredients for asthma drugs and other drugs used to treat HIV, enlarged prostate and heart congestion.