Pharmaceutical company Warner Lambert has said it will increase its workforce from 630 to 1,000 by the end of next year. The firm plans to invest an additional £180.5 million in its Cork facilities, bringing total investment in the last 16 months to £485 million.

In a statement the company said the investment was due to the success of its cholesterol lower agent - Lipitor - which is developed in Cork.

Construction of a 357,000 sq. ft tablet-making facility in Cork was under way with the first phase due for completion in October, a statement said.