HEALTH

Hoechst Plans to Cut 8,000 Jobs: German chemical giant Hoechst said it plans to cut 8,000 jobs in a far-reaching reorganization of its global pharmaceutical business, Hoechst Marion Roussel. As part of a global plan to shut more than half its 77 drug factories, the company plans to close five plants in North America and its research facility in Cincinnati. The company said it hasn’t decided which of its North American plants are to close. The steps are designed to save the company $800 million annually starting in 1997. Of the jobs to be eliminated, 1,400 are in Germany, where 900 positions have already been vacated through attrition. Hoechst said the restructuring will cost it about $800 million between 1995 and 1998--an amount it expects to recoup after a year.