HEALTH

Pharmacia & Upjohn to Close Plants: The Swedish-American company said it will close 40% of its drug plants worldwide in the next four years, saving $300 million a year by 2000. Pharmacia & Upjohn Inc. did not say how many jobs will be lost or which of its 56 plants will be closed. The expected savings will be on top of an estimated $500 million a year resulting from job cuts and plant closures following last year’s merger of Sweden’s Pharmacia and Kalamazoo, Mich.-based Upjohn Co. The closings will better position London-based Pharmacia & Upjohn in an industry where competition from generic drugs is increasing and cost-conscious health maintenance organizations and hospitals continue to push for lower drug prices, analysts said. Pharmacia & Upjohn shares rose 12.5 cents to $43 on the New York Stock Exchange.