PHILADELPHIA (AP) _ The pharmaceutical giant Merck & Company is cutting 600 jobs in suburban Philadelphia.

Spokesman Steven Cragle says the cuts mostly involve salespeople who call on family physicians and medical facilities.

The jobs are based in North Wales and Lansdale, Montgomery County.

However, Cragle tells The Philadelphia Inquirer that some of the people actually work in other states.

He says the company is cutting back on sales and marketing support for certain products.

Merck is one of the largest employers in the Philadelphia suburbs.

The company has announced plans to cut more than 10 percent of its 8,500-person workforce.

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Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, http://www.inquirer.com