NEW YORK, United States — PFIZER Inc said yesterday it will cut 6,000 jobs as it trims its manufacturing capacity worldwide after acquiring smaller rival Wyeth last year.

The world’s biggest drugmaker says it will cease operations at eight plants in Ireland, Puerto Rico, and the US by the end of 2015, and reduce operations at six other plants over the next several years. The plants make a range of pharmaceutical and consumer health products. Overall, the company operates 78 plants internationally and employs about 116,000 workers.

The New York-based company said in April that it would cut 20,000 jobs as part of the Wyeth integration.

“The restructuring of our global plant network is critical to our efforts to remain competitive so that we can continue to meet patient needs and expand the access and affordability of our medicines,” said Pfizer global manufacturing president Nat Ricciardi, in a statement.

Under the plan, Pfizer will cut operations at pharmaceutical plants in Caguas, Puerto Rico; Loughbeg, Ireland, and Rouses Point, New York. The company plans to shut down injectible medicines plants in Carolina, Puerto Rico and Dublin, Ireland. Other shutdowns include biotechnology plants in Shanbally, Ireland along with consumer health care plants in Richmond, Virginia and Pearl River, New York.

Pfizer said the timing of specific exits will depend upon the complexity of operations, the amount of time required for product transfers, and other business requirements.

The company has also recommended reductions in several other plants, including Guayama, Puerto Rico; Newbridge, Ireland; Andover, Mass.; Sanford, North Carolina; Havant, UK; and Illertissen, Germany.

Also, Pfizer said it is evaluating options for its animal health manufacturing sites and recommendations are expected by the end of June.