Above: Actavis’ operations in Puerto Rico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Pharmaceutical firm Actavis will be expanding its operations in Puerto Rico, Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla announced.

Under a programme promoted by Puerto Rico’s Industrial Development Company, Actavis will resume operations at its Manati plant and expand its Fajardo plant with an investment of $48 million.

The expansion could create 300 jobs, the government said.

The move follows Actavis’ acquisition of the global operations of the Warner Chilcott company, which included both the Manati and Fajardo plants.

Actavis’ investment in Manati will include the manufacturing and packaging of solid drugs, along with the expansion of the production of hormonal products in Fajardo.

The expansion plans are slated for completion by 2016.

“This is a significant increase in the production and employment of a business that already brings about $78 million each year to the economy of Puerto Rico,” Padilla said.