A MAJOR TRI CITIES EMPLOYER HAS ANNOUNCED PLANS TO CUT 20 PERCENT OF IT’S WORKFORCE. BRISTOL TENNESSEE BASED KING PHARMACEUTICALS WILL TRIM OVER 500 JOBS WITH 50 OF THOSE, COMING FROM BRISTOL. THE MOVE COMES AFTER A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT JUDGE RULED AGAINST A PATENT EXTENSION ON THE COMPANY’S BEST SELLING DRUG, ALTACE. PINK SLIPS ARE EXPECTED TO BE HANDED OUT STARTING IN DECEMBER WITH MOST AIMED AT SALES PEOPLE. KING EXPECTS TO SAVE UP TO 90 MILLION DOLLARS IN 2008 DUE TO THE CUTS. IN THE MEANTIME, COMPANY LEADERS PLAN TO REFOCUS THEIR EFFORT ON PRODUCTS IN THE NEUROSCIENCE AND HOSPITAL/ACUTE CARE DIVISION.