Sanofi sees flexibility for more sales force cuts

LONDON, Aug 1 (Reuters) - French drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis (SASY.PA) said on Wednesday it had considerable flexibility to reduce its sales force further.

Hanspeter Spek, head of pharmaceuticals, told a post-results conference call that around 10 percent of the U.S. sales force typically left each year and another 10 percent were external hires.

"I don't believe overall our sales force will increase -- there will be inside restructuring," he said.

The group has already cut its U.S. sales force by 11 percent since 2005, following generic competition to key products.