The multi-vitamin Centrum, which is produced by drug manufacturer Pfizer, was withdrawn from Irish shelves this week because the Irish public was not informed of a possible link to genetically modified ingredients contained in the product.

The international pharmaceutical group Pfizer has announced that it will let 785 people go at its Irish plants. The news comes as the makers of Viagra announced a cost cutting restructuring of its business, which will see 6,000 people lose their jobs.

Pfizer is upping its stake in Ireland with a $15.3m investment in a new R&D facility at its plant in Ringaskiddy in County Cork.

It raised a few eyebrows – and heaven knows what else – when pharmaceutical giant Pfizer sent “Viagra boxers” to family doctors in Ireland.