Hundreds of AstraZeneca employees in the UK could be facing redundancy after the pharmaceutical company revealed it is to launch a major restructuring programme.

According to the firm, this will allow it to increase productivity and drive innovation, with chief executive officer David Brennan announcing it remains fully committed to its "long-term, focused, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical strategy".

However, approximately 3,750 positions are expected to be affected by changes to the selling, general and administrative department at the company, with a further 2,200 research and development jobs at risk, as well as 1,350 operation posts being threatened.

Mr Brennan said: "Today's initiatives should be seen in this strategic context as we continue to reshape our business to improve productivity and innovation."

Pharmaceutical union GMB has revealed around 250 to 300 research and development employees are facing redundancy in the UK.

National officer Allan Black said this will be bad news for the UK economy.