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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549


FORM 10-K

(MARK ONE)    
ý   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009   Commission file number 1-2189

Abbott Laboratories

An Illinois Corporation   36-0698440
100 Abbott Park Road
Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6400		   (I.R.S. employer identification number)
 (847) 937-6100
(telephone number)

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 
Title of Each Class
   Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
 
Common Shares, Without Par Value
 		  New York Stock Exchange
Chicago Stock Exchange
 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes ý            No o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.

Yes o            No ý

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes ý            No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes ý            No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer ý   Accelerated Filer o   Non-accelerated Filer o   Smaller Reporting Company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

Yes o            No ý

The aggregate market value of the 1,492,249,135 shares of voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the closing price as reported on the New York Stock Exchange, as of the last business day of Abbott Laboratories' most recently completed second fiscal quarter (June 30, 2009), was $70,195,399,310. Abbott has no non-voting common equity.

Number of common shares outstanding as of January 31, 2010: 1,552,643,385

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the 2010 Abbott Laboratories Proxy Statement are incorporated by reference into Part III. The Proxy Statement will be filed on or about March 15, 2010.


PART I

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS

        Abbott Laboratories is an Illinois corporation, incorporated in 1900. Abbott's* principal business is the discovery, development, manufacture, and sale of a broad and diversified line of health care products.


FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELATING TO INDUSTRY SEGMENTS, GEOGRAPHIC AREAS, AND
CLASSES OF SIMILAR PRODUCTS

        Incorporated herein by reference is Note 7 entitled "Segment and Geographic Area Information" of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" and the sales information related to Humira® included in "Financial Review."


NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

        Abbott has four reportable revenue segments: Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Vascular Products.

        On February 15, 2010, Abbott completed its acquisition of the Solvay Group's pharmaceuticals business for EUR 4.5 billion (approximately $6.2 billion), in cash, plus additional payments of up to EUR 300 million if certain sales milestones are met. This acquisition will provide Abbott with a large and complementary portfolio of pharmaceutical products and a significant presence in key global emerging markets and will add approximately $500 million to Abbott's research and development spending.

        In February 2009, Abbott acquired the outstanding shares of Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. (AMO) for approximately $1.4 billion in cash, net of cash held by AMO.

*
As used throughout the text of this report on Form 10-K, the term "Abbott" refers to Abbott Laboratories, an Illinois corporation, or Abbott Laboratories and its consolidated subsidiaries, as the context requires.

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Pharmaceutical Products

        These products include a broad line of adult and pediatric pharmaceuticals manufactured, marketed, and sold worldwide and are generally sold directly to wholesalers, distributors, government agencies, health care facilities, specialty pharmacies, and independent retailers from Abbott-owned distribution centers and public warehouses. Outside the United States, sales are made either directly to customers or through distributors, depending on the market served. Certain products are co-marketed or co-promoted with other companies.

        The principal products included in the Pharmaceutical Products segment are:

        The Pharmaceutical Products segment directs its primary marketing efforts toward securing the prescription, or recommendation, of Abbott's brand of products by physicians. Managed care providers (for example, health maintenance organizations and pharmacy benefit managers) and state and federal governments and agencies (for example, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the United States Department of Defense) are also important customers.

        Competition in the Pharmaceutical Products segment is generally from other health care and pharmaceutical companies. The search for technological innovations in pharmaceutical products is a significant aspect of competition in this segment. The introduction of new products by competitors and changes in medical practices and procedures can result in product obsolescence in the Pharmaceutical Products segment. Price can also be a factor. In addition, the substitution of generic drugs for the brand prescribed has increased competitive pressures on pharmaceutical products that are off-patent.

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Diagnostic Products

        These products include a broad line of diagnostic systems and tests manufactured, marketed, and sold worldwide to blood banks, hospitals, commercial laboratories, clinics, physicians' offices, alternate-care testing sites, and plasma protein therapeutic companies. The segment's products are generally marketed and sold directly from Abbott-owned distribution centers and public warehouses and third-party distributors. Outside the United States, sales are made either directly to customers or through distributors, depending on the market served. In January 2009, Abbott acquired Ibis Biosciences, Inc. for $175 million, in cash, to expand Abbott's position in molecular diagnostics for infectious disease. Including a $40 million investment in Ibis in 2008, Abbott has acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Ibis.

        The principal products included in the Diagnostic Products segment are:

        In addition, under a distribution agreement with Celera Group, the Diagnostic Products segment exclusively distributes certain Celera molecular diagnostic products, including the Viroseq™ HIV genotyping system and products used for the detection of mutations in the CFTR gene, which causes cystic fibrosis.

        The Diagnostic Products segment's products are subject to competition in technological innovation, price, convenience of use, service, instrument warranty provisions, product performance, long-term supply contracts, and product potential for overall cost-effectiveness and productivity gains. Some products in this segment can be subject to rapid product obsolescence or regulatory changes. Although Abbott has benefited from technological advantages of certain of its current products, these advantages may be reduced or eliminated as competitors introduce new products.

Nutritional Products

        These products include a broad line of pediatric and adult nutritional products manufactured, marketed, and sold worldwide. These products are generally marketed and sold to institutions, wholesalers, retailers, health care facilities, government agencies, and third-party distributors from Abbott-owned distribution centers or third-party distributors. Outside the United States, sales are made either directly to customers or through distributors, depending on the market served.

        Principal products in the Nutritional Products segment include:

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        Primary marketing efforts for nutritional products are directed toward securing the recommendation of Abbott's brand of products by physicians or other health care professionals. In addition, certain nutritional products sold as Gain™, Grow™, PediaSure®, PediaSure® NutriPals®, Pedialyte®, Ensure®, ZonePerfect®, EAS®/Myoplex®, and Glucerna® are also promoted directly to the public by consumer marketing efforts in select markets.

        Competition for nutritional products in the segment is generally from other diversified consumer and health care manufacturers. Competitive factors include consumer advertising, formulation, packaging, scientific innovation, intellectual property, price, and availability of product forms. A significant aspect of competition is the search for ingredient innovations. The introduction of new products by competitors, changes in medical practices and procedures, and regulatory changes can result in product obsolescence. In addition, private label and local manufacturers' products may increase competitive pressure.

Vascular Products

        These products include a broad line of coronary, endovascular, and vessel closure devices for the treatment of vascular disease manufactured, marketed and sold worldwide. The segment's products are generally marketed and sold directly to hospitals from Abbott-owned distribution centers and public warehouses. Outside the United States, sales are made either directly to customers or through distributors, depending on the market served. On October 30, 2009, Abbott acquired Evalve, Inc. for $320 million, in cash, plus an additional payment of $90 million to be made upon completion of certain regulatory milestones. Abbott acquired Evalve to obtain a presence in the growing area of percutaneous treatment for structural heart disease. Including a previous investment in Evalve, Abbott has acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Evalve.

        The principal products included in the Vascular Products segment are:

        The Vascular Products segment's products are subject to competition in technological innovation, price, convenience of use, service, product performance, long-term supply contracts, and product potential for overall cost-effectiveness and productivity gains. Some products in this segment can be subject to rapid product obsolescence or regulatory changes. Although Abbott has benefited from technological advantages of certain of its current products, these advantages may be reduced or eliminated as competitors introduce new products.

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Other Products

        The principal products in Abbott's other businesses include blood glucose monitoring meters, test strips, data management software and accessories for people with diabetes, including the FreeStyle® product line, and medical devices for the eye, including cataract surgery, lasik surgery, contact lens, and dry eye products. These products are mostly marketed worldwide and generally sold directly to wholesalers, government agencies, health care facilities, mail order pharmacies, and independent retailers from Abbott-owned distribution centers and public warehouses. Some of these products are marketed and distributed through distributors. Blood glucose monitoring meters, contact lens care products, and dry eye products are also marketed and sold over-the-counter to consumers. These products are subject to competition in technological innovation, price, convenience of use, service, and product performance, and these products can be subject to rapid product obsolescence or regulatory changes. In October 2009, Abbott acquired 100 percent of Visiogen, Inc. for $400 million in cash, providing Abbott with a next-generation accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) technology to address presbyopia for cataract patients.


INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO ABBOTT'S BUSINESS IN GENERAL

Sources and Availability of Raw Materials

        Abbott purchases, in the ordinary course of business, raw materials and supplies essential to Abbott's operations from numerous suppliers in the United States and abroad. There have been no recent significant availability problems or supply shortages.

Patents, Trademarks, and Licenses

        Abbott is aware of the desirability for patent and trademark protection for its products. Accordingly, where possible, patents and trademarks are sought and obtained for Abbott's products in the United States and all countries of major marketing interest to Abbott. Abbott owns and is licensed under a substantial number of patents and patent applications. Principal trademarks and the products they cover are discussed in the Narrative Description of Business on pages 1 through 5. These, and various patents which expire during the period 2010 to 2029, in the aggregate are believed to be of material importance in the operation of Abbott's business. Abbott believes that no single patent, license, trademark (or related group of patents, licenses, or trademarks), except for those related to adalimumab (which is sold under the trademark Humira®), are material in relation to Abbott's business as a whole. The United States composition of matter (that is, compound) patents covering adalimumab will expire in December 2016. In addition, the following patents, licenses, and trademarks are significant for Abbott's Pharmaceutical Products segment: those related to lopinavir/ritonavir (which is sold under the trademarks Kaletra® and Aluvia™), those related to fenofibrate (which is sold under the trademarks TriCor® and Trilipix®), and those related to niacin (which is sold under the trademarks Niaspan® and Simcor®). The United States composition of matter patent covering lopinavir will expire in 2016. The United States non-composition of matter patent covering lopinavir/ritonavir will expire in 2016. The principal United States non-composition of matter patents covering the fenofibrate products will expire in 2011, 2018, 2020, 2023, and 2025. The principal United States non-composition of matter patents covering the niacin products will expire in 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2018. Litigation related to the products listed above is discussed in Legal Proceedings on pages 15 through 18.

        Although the expiration of a composition of matter patent may lead to increased competition, in most cases Abbott owns or has a license to other patents that expire after the composition of matter patent related to particular formulations, uses, or processes for manufacturing the pharmaceutical. These non-composition of matter patents and Abbott's other intellectual property, along with such other factors as a competitor's need to obtain regulatory approvals prior to marketing a competitive product and the nature of the market, may allow Abbott to continue to have commercial advantages after the expiration of the composition of matter patent, including in some instances exclusivity.

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Seasonal Aspects, Customers, Backlog, and Renegotiation

        There are no significant seasonal aspects to Abbott's business. Abbott has no single customer that, if the customer were lost, would have a material adverse effect on Abbott. Orders for Abbott's products are generally filled on a current basis, and order backlog is not material to Abbott's business. No material portion of Abbott's business is subject to renegotiation of profits or termination of contracts at the election of the government.

Research and Development

        Abbott spent $2,743,733,000 in 2009, $2,688,811,000 in 2008, and $2,505,649,000 in 2007 on research to discover and develop new products and processes and to improve existing products and processes. The majority of research and development expenditures is concentrated on pharmaceutical products.

Environmental Matters

        Abbott believes that its operations comply in all material respects with applicable laws and regulations concerning environmental protection. Regulations under federal and state environmental laws impose stringent limitations on emissions and discharges to the environment from various manufacturing operations. Abbott's capital and operating expenditures for pollution control in 2009 were approximately $16 million and $58 million, respectively. Capital and operating expenditures for pollution control in 2010 are estimated to be $8 million and $63 million, respectively.

        Abbott has been identified as one of many potentially responsible parties in investigations and/or remediations at several locations in the United States, including Puerto Rico, under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, commonly known as Superfund. Abbott is also engaged in remediation at several other sites, some of which are owned by Abbott, in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or similar agencies. While it is not feasible to predict with certainty the final costs related to those investigations and remediation activities, Abbott believes that such costs, together with other expenditures to maintain compliance with applicable laws and regulations concerning environmental protection, should not have a material adverse effect on Abbott's financial position, cash flows, or results of operations.

Employees

        Abbott employed approximately 73,000 persons as of December 31, 2009.

Regulation

        The development, manufacture, sale, and distribution of Abbott's products are subject to comprehensive government regulation. Government regulation by various federal, state, and local agencies, both domestic and international, which includes detailed inspection of, and controls over, research and laboratory procedures, clinical investigations, product approvals and manufacturing, marketing and promotion, sampling, distribution, record keeping, storage, and disposal practices, and achieving compliance with these regulations, substantially increases the time, difficulty, and costs incurred in obtaining and maintaining the approval to market newly developed and existing products. Government regulatory actions can result in delay in the release of products, seizure or recall of products, suspension or revocation of the authority necessary for their production and sale, and other civil or criminal sanctions, including fines and penalties. In addition, governmental regulatory agencies require prescription drug and medical device manufacturers to pay fees, such as application, product, and establishment fees.

        Abbott is a party to a consent decree entered in 1999 that requires Abbott to ensure its diagnostics manufacturing processes in Lake County, Illinois conform to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Quality System Regulation and restricts the sale in the United States of certain products in the

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Diagnostic Products segment. In 2003, the FDA concluded that those operations were in substantial conformity with the Quality System Regulation.

        International operations are also subject to a significant degree of government regulation and country-specific rules and regulations. Many countries, directly or indirectly, through reimbursement or pricing limitations, control the selling price of most health care products. Furthermore, many countries limit the importation of raw materials and finished products.

        Continuing studies of the utilization, safety, efficacy, and outcomes of health care products and their components are being conducted by industry, government agencies, and others. Such studies, which employ increasingly sophisticated methods and techniques, can call into question the utilization, safety, and efficacy of previously marketed products and in some cases have resulted, and may in the future result, in the discontinuance of marketing of such products and may give rise to claims for damages from persons who believe they have been injured as a result of their use.

        Access to and the cost of human health care products continues to be a subject of investigation and action by governmental agencies, legislative bodies, and private organizations in the United States and other countries. In the United States, most states have generic substitution legislation requiring or permitting a dispensing pharmacist to substitute a different manufacturer's version of a pharmaceutical product for the one prescribed. In addition, the federal government follows a diagnosis-related group (DRG) payment system for certain institutional services provided under Medicare or Medicaid and has implemented a prospective payment system (PPS) for services delivered in hospital outpatient, nursing home, and home health settings. DRG and PPS entitle a health care facility to a fixed reimbursement based on the diagnosis and/or procedure rather than actual costs incurred in patient treatment, thereby increasing the incentive for the facility to limit or control expenditures for many health care products. Medicare enters into contracts with private plans to negotiate prices for medicine delivered under Part D and must develop a competitive bid system for durable medical equipment, enteral nutrition products, and supplies. Under federal law, manufacturers must pay certain statutorily-prescribed rebates to state Medicaid programs on prescription drugs reimbursed under state Medicaid plans. In addition, a majority of states are seeking additional rebates. The Veterans Health Care Act of 1992 requires manufacturers to extend additional discounts on pharmaceutical products to various federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, Public Health Service entities and institutions, as well as certain other covered entities.

        In the United States, governmental cost containment efforts have extended to the federally funded Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). All states are mandated to have in place a cost containment program for infant formula. As a result, states obtain rebates from manufacturers of infant formula whose products are used in the program through competitive bidding.

        Abbott expects debate to continue during 2010 at all government levels over marketing, availability, method of delivery, and payment for health care products and services. Abbott believes that if legislation is enacted, it could change access to health care products and services, increase rebates, reduce prices or the rate of price increases for health care products and services, create new fees for the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, or require additional reporting and disclosure.

        Efforts to reduce health care costs are also being made in the private sector. Health care providers have responded by instituting various cost reduction and containment measures.

        It is not possible to predict the extent to which Abbott or the health care industry in general might be affected by the matters discussed above.

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 INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS

        Abbott markets products worldwide through affiliates and distributors. Most of the products discussed in the preceding sections of this report are also sold outside the United States. In addition, certain products of a local nature and variations of product lines to meet local regulatory requirements and marketing preferences are manufactured and marketed to customers outside the United States. International operations are subject to certain additional risks inherent in conducting business outside the United States, including price and currency exchange controls, changes in currency exchange rates, limitations on foreign participation in local enterprises, expropriation, nationalization, and other governmental action.


INTERNET INFORMATION

        Copies of Abbott's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available free of charge through Abbott's investor relations website (www.abbottinvestor.com) as soon as reasonably practicable after Abbott electronically files the material with, or furnishes it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

        Abbott's corporate governance guidelines, outline of directorship qualifications, code of business conduct and the charters of Abbott's audit committee, compensation committee, nominations and governance committee, and public policy committee are all available on Abbott's investor relations website (www.abbottinvestor.com).

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ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

        In addition to the other information in this report, the following risk factors should be considered before deciding to invest in any of Abbott's securities. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to Abbott, or risks Abbott currently considers immaterial, could also affect Abbott's actual results. Abbott's business, financial condition, results of operations, or prospects could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks.

Abbott may acquire other businesses, license rights to technologies or products, form alliances, or dispose of or spin-off businesses, which could cause it to incur significant expenses and could negatively affect profitability.

        Abbott may pursue acquisitions, technology licensing arrangements, and strategic alliances, or dispose of or spin-off some of its businesses, as part of its business strategy. Abbott may not complete these transactions in a timely manner, on a cost-effective basis, or at all, and may not realize the expected benefits. If Abbott is successful in making an acquisition, the products and technologies that are acquired may not be successful or may require significantly greater resources and investments than originally anticipated. Abbott may not be able to integrate acquisitions successfully into its existing business and could incur or assume significant debt and unknown or contingent liabilities. Abbott could also experience negative effects on its reported results of operations from acquisition or disposition-related charges, amortization of expenses related to intangibles and charges for impairment of long-term assets. These effects could cause a deterioration of Abbott's credit rating and result in increased borrowing costs and interest expense.

The expiration or loss of patent protection and licenses may affect Abbott's future revenues and operating income.

        Many of Abbott's businesses rely on patent and trademark and other intellectual property protection. Although most of the challenges to Abbott's intellectual property have come from other businesses, governments may also challenge intellectual property protections. To the extent Abbott's intellectual property is successfully challenged, invalidated, or circumvented or to the extent it does not allow Abbott to compete effectively, Abbott's business will suffer. To the extent that countries do not enforce Abbott's intellectual property rights or to the extent that countries require compulsory licensing of its intellectual property, Abbott's future revenues and operating income will be reduced. Abbott's principal patents and trademarks are described in greater detail in the sections captioned, "Patents, Trademarks, and Licenses" and "Financial Review," and litigation regarding these patents is described in the section captioned "Legal Proceedings."

        Abbott faces increasing competition from lower-cost generic products. The expiration or loss of patent protection for a product typically is followed promptly by generic substitutes that may significantly reduce Abbott's sales for that product in a short amount of time. If Abbott's competitive position is compromised because of generics or otherwise, it could have a material adverse effect on its revenues, margins, business, and results of operations.

Competitors' intellectual property may prevent Abbott from selling its products or have a material adverse effect on Abbott's future profitability and financial condition.

        Competitors may claim that an Abbott product infringes upon their intellectual property. Resolving an intellectual property infringement claim can be costly and time consuming and may require Abbott to enter into license agreements. Abbott cannot guarantee that it would be able to obtain license agreements on commercially reasonable terms. A successful claim of patent or other intellectual property infringement could subject Abbott to significant damages or an injunction preventing the manufacture, sale or use of affected Abbott products. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on Abbott's profitability and financial condition.

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Abbott is subject to cost-containment efforts that could cause a reduction in future revenues and operating income.

        In the United States and other countries, Abbott's businesses have experienced downward pressure on product pricing. Cost-containment efforts by governments and private organizations are described in greater detail in the section captioned "Regulation." To the extent these cost containment efforts are not offset by greater patient access to healthcare or other factors, Abbott's future revenues and operating income will be reduced.

Abbott is subject to numerous governmental regulations and it can be costly to comply with these regulations and to develop compliant products and processes.

        Abbott's products are subject to rigorous regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and numerous international, supranational, federal, and state authorities. The process of obtaining regulatory approvals to market a drug or medical device can be costly and time-consuming, and approvals might not be granted for future products, or additional indications or uses of existing products, on a timely basis, if at all. Delays in the receipt of, or failure to obtain approvals for, future products, or new indications and uses, could result in delayed realization of product revenues, reduction in revenues, and in substantial additional costs.

        In addition, no assurance can be given that Abbott will remain in compliance with applicable FDA and other regulatory requirements once clearance or approval has been obtained for a product. These requirements include, among other things, regulations regarding manufacturing practices, product labeling, and advertising and postmarketing reporting, including adverse event reports and field alerts due to manufacturing quality concerns. Many of Abbott's facilities and procedures and those of Abbott's suppliers are subject to ongoing regulation, including periodic inspection by the FDA and other regulatory authorities. Abbott must incur expense and spend time and effort to ensure compliance with these complex regulations. Possible regulatory actions could include warning letters, fines, damages, injunctions, civil penalties, recalls, seizures of Abbott's products, and criminal prosecution. These actions could result in, among other things, substantial modifications to Abbott's business practices and operations; refunds, recalls, or seizures of Abbott's products; a total or partial shutdown of production in one or more of Abbott's facilities while Abbott or Abbott's suppliers remedy the alleged violation; the inability to obtain future pre-market clearances or approvals; and withdrawals or suspensions of current products from the market. Any of these events could disrupt Abbott's business and have a material adverse effect on Abbott's revenues, profitability and financial condition.

Laws and regulations affecting government benefit programs could impose new obligations on Abbott, require Abbott to change its business practices, and restrict its operations in the future.

        Abbott's industry is also subject to various federal, state, and international laws and regulations pertaining to government benefit program reimbursement, price reporting and regulation, and health care fraud and abuse, including anti-kickback and false claims laws, the Medicaid Rebate Statute, the Veterans Health Care Act, and individual state laws relating to pricing and sales and marketing practices. Violations of these laws may be punishable by criminal and/or civil sanctions, including, in some instances, substantial fines, imprisonment, and exclusion from participation in federal and state health care programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans Administration health programs. These laws and regulations are broad in scope and they are subject to evolving interpretations, which could require Abbott to incur substantial costs associated with compliance or to alter one or more of its sales or marketing practices. In addition, violations of these laws, or allegations of such violations, could disrupt Abbott's business and result in a material adverse effect on Abbott's revenues, profitability, and financial condition.

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Abbott's research and development efforts may not succeed in developing commercially successful products and technologies, which may cause Abbott's revenue and profitability to decline.

        To remain competitive, Abbott must continue to launch new products and technologies. To accomplish this, Abbott commits substantial efforts, funds, and other resources to research and development. A high rate of failure is inherent in the research and development of new products and technologies. Abbott must make ongoing substantial expenditures without any assurance that its efforts will be commercially successful. Failure can occur at any point in the process, including after significant funds have been invested.

        Promising new product candidates may fail to reach the market or may only have limited commercial success because of efficacy or safety concerns, failure to achieve positive clinical outcomes, inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals, limited scope of approved uses, excessive costs to manufacture, the failure to establish or maintain intellectual property rights, or infringement of the intellectual property rights of others. Even if Abbott successfully develops new products or enhancements or new generations of Abbott's existing products, they may be quickly rendered obsolete by changing customer preferences, changing industry standards, or competitors' innovations. Innovations may not be accepted quickly in the marketplace because of, among other things, entrenched patterns of clinical practice or uncertainty over third-party reimbursement. Abbott cannot state with certainty when or whether any of its products under development will be launched, whether it will be able to develop, license, or otherwise acquire compounds or products, or whether any products will be commercially successful. Failure to launch successful new products or new indications for existing products may cause Abbott's products to become obsolete, causing Abbott's revenues and operating results to suffer.

New products and technological advances by Abbott's competitors may negatively affect Abbott's results of operations.

        Abbott's products face intense competition from its competitors' products. Competitors' products may be safer, more effective, more effectively marketed or sold, or have lower prices or superior performance features than Abbott's products. Abbott cannot predict with certainty the timing or impact of the introduction of competitors' products.

The manufacture of many of Abbott's products is a highly exacting and complex process, and if Abbott or one of its suppliers encounters problems manufacturing products, Abbott's business could suffer.

        The manufacture of many of Abbott's products is a highly exacting and complex process, due in part to strict regulatory requirements. Problems may arise during manufacturing for a variety of reasons, including equipment malfunction, failure to follow specific protocols and procedures, problems with raw materials, natural disasters, and environmental factors. In addition, single suppliers are currently used for certain products and materials. If problems arise during the production of a batch of product, that batch of product may have to be discarded. This could, among other things, lead to increased costs, lost revenue, damage to customer relations, time and expense spent investigating the cause and, depending on the cause, similar losses with respect to other batches or products. If problems are not discovered before the product is released to the market, recall and product liability costs may also be incurred. To the extent Abbott or one of its suppliers experiences significant manufacturing problems, this could have a material adverse effect on Abbott's revenues and profitability.

Significant safety issues could arise for Abbott's products, which could have a material adverse effect on Abbott's revenues and financial condition.

        All health care products receive regulatory approval based on data obtained in controlled clinical trials of limited duration. Following regulatory approval, these products will be used over longer periods of time in many patients. Investigators may also conduct additional, and perhaps more extensive, studies. If new safety issues are reported, Abbott may be required to amend the conditions of use for a product. For

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example, Abbott may be required to provide additional warnings on a product's label or narrow its approved indication, either of which could reduce the product's market acceptance. If serious safety issues with an Abbott product arise, sales of the product could be halted by Abbott or by regulatory authorities. Safety issues affecting suppliers' or competitors' products also may reduce the market acceptance of Abbott's products.

        In addition, in the ordinary course of business, Abbott is the subject of product liability claims and lawsuits alleging that its products or the products of other companies that Abbott promotes have resulted or could result in an unsafe condition for or injury to patients. Product liability claims and lawsuits and safety alerts or product recalls, regardless of their ultimate outcome, may have a material adverse effect on Abbott's business and reputation and on Abbott's ability to attract and retain customers. Product liability losses are self-insured. Product liability claims could have a material adverse effect on Abbott's profitability and financial condition.

The international nature of Abbott's business subjects it to additional business risks that may cause its revenue and profitability to decline.

        Abbott's business is subject to risks associated with doing business internationally. Sales outside of the United States make up approximately 50% of Abbott's net sales. The risks associated with Abbott's operations outside the United States include:

These risks may, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on Abbott's revenues and profitability.

Other factors can have a material adverse effect on Abbott's future profitability and financial condition.

        Many other factors can affect Abbott's profitability and its financial condition, including:

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 CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that are based on management's current expectations, estimates, and projections. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "forecasts," variations of these words, and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Certain factors, including but not limited to those identified under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" of this Form 10-K, may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations, estimates, projections, forecasts, and from past results. No assurance can be made that any expectation, estimate, or projection contained in a forward-looking statement will be achieved or will not be affected by the factors cited above or other future events. Abbott undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as the result of subsequent events or developments.

ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

        None.

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ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES

        Abbott's corporate offices are located at 100 Abbott Park Road, Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6400. The locations of Abbott's principal plants, as of December 31, 2009, are listed below.

Location   Segments of Products Produced
Abbott Park, Illinois   Pharmaceutical and Diagnostic Products
Alameda, California*   Non-Reportable
Altavista, Virginia   Nutritional Products
Anasco, Puerto Rico*   Medical Devices
Barceloneta, Puerto Rico   Pharmaceutical and Diagnostic Products
Brockville, Canada   Nutritional Products
Buenos Aires, Argentina   Pharmaceutical Products
Campoverde di Aprilia, Italy   Pharmaceutical Products
Casa Grande, Arizona   Nutritional Products
Clonmel, Ireland   Vascular Products
Columbus, Ohio   Nutritional Products
Cootehill, Ireland   Nutritional Products
Dartford, England*   Diagnostic Products
Des Plaines, Illinois   Diagnostic Products
Fairfield, California*   Nutritional Products
Granada, Spain   Nutritional Products
Irving, Texas   Diagnostic Products
Jayuya, Puerto Rico   Pharmaceutical Products
Karachi, Pakistan   Pharmaceutical Products
Katsuyama, Japan   Pharmaceutical Products
Longford, Ireland   Diagnostic Products
Ludwigshafen, Germany   Pharmaceutical Products
Milpitas, California*   Medical Devices
North Chicago, Illinois   Pharmaceutical Products
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada*   Diagnostic Products
Redwood City, California*   Vascular Products
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil   Pharmaceutical Products
Santa Clara, California   Diagnostic Products
Singapore   Nutritional Products
Sligo, Ireland   Nutritional and Diagnostic Products
Sturgis, Michigan   Nutritional Products
Temecula, California   Vascular Products
Tlalpan, Mexico   Pharmaceutical Products
Wiesbaden, Delkenheim, Germany   Diagnostic Products
Witney, Oxon, England   Non-Reportable
Worcester, Massachusetts   Pharmaceutical Products
Zwolle, the Netherlands   Nutritional Products
*
Leased property

        In addition to the above, Abbott has manufacturing facilities in nine other locations in the United States, including Puerto Rico, and in five other countries outside the United States. Abbott's facilities are deemed suitable and provide adequate productive capacity.

        In the United States, including Puerto Rico, Abbott owns nine distribution centers. Outside the United States, Abbott owns six distribution centers. Abbott also has twenty United States research and

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development facilities located at: Abbott Park, Illinois; Alameda, California; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Carlsbad, California; Columbus, Ohio (two locations); Des Plaines, Illinois; Fairfield, California; Irving, Texas; Long Grove, Illinois; Milpitas, California; Mountain View, California; North Chicago, Illinois; Princeton, New Jersey; Redwood City, California; Santa Ana, California; Santa Clara, California; South Irvine, California; Temecula, California; and Worcester, Massachusetts. Outside the United States, Abbott has research and development facilities in Canada, China, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

        Except as noted, the corporate offices, and those principal plants in the United States listed above, are owned by Abbott or subsidiaries of Abbott. The remaining manufacturing plants and all other facilities are owned or leased by Abbott or subsidiaries of Abbott. There are no material encumbrances on the properties.

ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

        Abbott is involved in various claims, legal proceedings and investigations, including (as of January 31, 2010) those described below. While it is not feasible to predict the outcome of such pending claims, proceedings and investigations with certainty, management is of the opinion that their ultimate resolution should not have a material adverse effect on Abbott's financial position, cash flows, or results of operations, except where noted below.

        A case is pending against Abbott in which New York University (NYU) and Centocor, Inc. assert that adalimumab (a drug Abbott sells under the trademark Humira®) infringes a patent co-owned by NYU and Centocor and exclusively licensed to Centocor. In June 2009, a jury found that Abbott had willfully infringed the patent and awarded NYU and Centocor approximately $1.67 billion in past compensatory damages. In October 2009, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas overturned the jury's finding that Abbott's infringement was willful, but denied Abbott's request to overturn the jury's verdict on validity, infringement, and damages. In December 2009, the district court issued a final judgment and awarded the plaintiffs an additional $175 million in prejudgment interest. In December 2009, Centocor filed a separate action seeking enhanced damages and interest for the continuing sale of Humira® after the jury verdict. In December 2009, Abbott filed a notice of appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Abbott is confident in the merits of its case and believes that it will prevail on appeal. While it is not feasible to predict with certainty the outcome of this litigation, its ultimate resolution could be material to cash flows or results of operations.

        As previously reported, a case brought by the University of Iowa in June 2009 was pending against Abbott in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa alleging that Humira® infringed two University of Iowa patents. In November 2009, the parties settled the case and it was dismissed with prejudice.

        In response to a patent infringement action filed in December 2008 by Bayer HealthCare LLC (Bayer) in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, in January 2009 Abbott filed an action against Bayer in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts seeking a declaration that Humira® does not infringe Bayer's patent and that Bayer's patent is invalid and unenforceable. The Massachusetts court consolidated the Texas case with the Massachusetts proceeding. Bayer seeks damages, including treble damages, but does not seek injunctive relief. In November 2009, Bayer filed infringement actions in the Court of the Hague in the Netherlands and in the District Court in Dusseldorf, Germany, asserting that Humira® infringes Bayer's patent and seeking damages, but not an injunction.

        In December 2009, Abbott, Fournier Industrie et Sante, and Laboratories Fournier, S.A. (Fournier) settled the case brought by twenty-six State Attorneys General, State of Florida, et al. (filed in March 2008). Twenty-four of the twenty-six State Attorneys General are parties to the settlement and two State Attorneys General voluntarily dismissed their claims against the defendants.

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        Several cases, brought as purported class actions or representative actions on behalf of individuals or entities, are pending against Abbott that allege generally that Abbott and numerous other pharmaceutical companies reported false pricing information in connection with certain drugs that are reimbursable under Medicare and Medicaid and by private payors. These cases, brought by private plaintiffs, the United States Department of Justice, state Attorneys General, and other state government entities, generally seek monetary damages and/or injunctive relief and attorneys' fees. The federal court cases have been consolidated for pre-trial purposes in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts under the Multi District Litigation Rules as In re: Pharmaceutical Industry Average Wholesale Price Litigation, MDL 1456. MDL 1456 includes: (a) a civil whistle-blower suit brought by the United States Department of Justice, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida in May 2006; (b) a civil whistle-blower suit brought by Ven-A-Care of the Florida Keys, Inc., unsealed against Abbott in August 2007 and in which the United States declined to intervene; (c) two state Attorneys General suits, filed in August 2006 (State of South Carolina) and July 2009 (State of Mississippi on behalf of its state health plan); and (d) a purported class action case in which the plaintiffs seek to certify nationwide classes of Medicare Part B consumers and third party payors and other consumers, filed in June 2003. Eighteen named defendants, including Abbott, collectively settled this case, subject to final approval of the district court. In addition, several cases are pending against Abbott in state courts: Commonwealth of Kentucky, filed in September 2003 in the Circuit Court of Franklin County, Kentucky; State of Wisconsin, filed in June 2004 in the Circuit Court of Dane County, Wisconsin; State of Illinois, filed in February 2005 in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois; County of Erie, filed in March 2005 in the Supreme Court of Erie County, New York; State of Mississippi, filed in October 2005 in the Circuit Court of Rankin County, Mississippi; State of Hawaii, filed in April 2006 in the First Circuit Court of Hawaii; County of Oswego, filed in August 2006 in the Supreme Court of Oswego County, New York; County of Schenectady, filed in August 2006 in the Supreme Court of Schenectady County, New York; State of South Carolina (on behalf of its state health plan), filed in August 2006 in the Court of Common Pleas, Fifth Judicial Circuit of Richland County, South Carolina; State of Alaska, filed in October 2006 in the Superior Court for the Third Judicial District in Anchorage, Alaska; State of Idaho, filed in January 2007 in the District Court of the Fourth Judicial District in Ada County, Idaho; State of Utah, filed in November 2007 in the Third Judicial District in Salt Lake County, Utah; and State of Kansas, filed in October 2008 in the District Court of Wyandotte County, Kansas. In 2009, Abbott settled State of West Virginia, filed in October 2001 in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County, West Virginia, and State of Alabama, filed in January 2005 in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County, Alabama. While it is not feasible to predict with certainty the outcome of the proceedings and investigations related to pricing information for drugs reimbursable under Medicare and Medicaid, their ultimate resolution could be material to cash flows or results of operations for a quarter.

        Four cases are pending against Abbott in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California that allege antitrust violations in connection with the 2003 Norvir re-pricing: (a) a consolidated class action filed on behalf of all direct purchasers by three individual plaintiffs, Meijer, Inc., filed in November 2007, Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company, Inc., filed in December 2007, and Rochester Drug Co-Operative, Inc., filed in November 2007; (b) two cases filed on behalf of director purchaser class opt-outs, Rite Aid, Inc., filed in December 2007 and Safeway, Inc., filed in October 2007; and (c) one case filed by a competitor, GlaxoSmithKline, filed in November 2007. All of the cases have been consolidated for discovery and trial. The plaintiffs seek damages, injunctive relief, and costs.

        A class action case is pending against Abbott in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois under the name Myla Nauman, Jane Roller and Michael Loughery v. Abbott Laboratories and Hospira, Inc. The plaintiffs are former Abbott employees who allege that their transfer to Hospira, Inc., as part of the spin-off of Hospira, adversely affected their employee benefits in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and that in their transfer, Abbott breached a fiduciary duty to plaintiffs involving employee benefits. The plaintiffs generally seek reinstatement as Abbott employees, or reinstatement as participants in Abbott's employee benefit plans, or an award for the employee benefits they have allegedly lost. Abbott filed a response denying all substantive allegations.

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        The Office of the Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services in conjunction with the United States Department of Justice, through the United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, the Western District of Louisiana, and the Middle District of Louisiana are investigating the sales and marketing practices of Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc. In addition, the United States Attorney for Louisiana is investigating Kos' calculation and reporting of Medicaid rebates. The government is seeking to determine whether any of these practices resulted in any violations of civil and/or criminal laws, including the Federal False Claims Act, the Anti-Kickback Statute, and the Medicaid Rebate Statute in connection with the Medicare and/or Medicaid reimbursement paid to third parties. Abbott acquired Kos in December 2006, and these investigations relate to conduct that occurred prior to Abbott's acquisition.

        The United States Department of Justice, through the United States Attorney for Maryland, is investigating the sales and marketing practices of Abbott for Micardis®, a drug co-promoted for (until March 31, 2006) and manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim. The government is seeking to determine whether any of these practices resulted in any violations of civil and/or criminal laws, including the Federal False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute, in connection with the Medicare and/or Medicaid reimbursement paid to third parties.

        The United States Department of Justice, through the Unites States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, is investigating Abbott's sales and marketing activities for Depakote. The government is seeking to determine whether any of these activities violated civil and/or criminal laws, including the Federal False Claims Act, the Food and Drug Cosmetic Act, and the Anti-Kickback Statute in connection with Medicare and/or Medicaid reimbursement to third parties.

        The United States Department of Justice, through the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, is investigating the sales and marketing activities of Abbott's and other companies' biliary stent products. The government is seeking to determine whether any of these activities violated civil and/or criminal laws, including the Federal False Claims Act, the Food and Drug Cosmetic Act, and the Anti-Kickback Statute in connection with Medicare and/or Medicaid reimbursement paid to third parties.

        In 2007, Johnson & Johnson, Inc. and Cordis Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson (collectively Johnson & Johnson), filed suits against Abbott in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey asserting infringement of four Johnson & Johnson patents by Abbott's Xience V stent and seeking an injunction, an award of damages, and a determination of willful infringement. In January 2010, the court issued an Order of Judgment finding that Johnson & Johnson's four patents are invalid and dismissing the suits against Abbott. In January 2008, Cordis Corporation and Wyeth filed suit against Abbott in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey alleging the Xience V stent infringes three additional patents and seeking an injunction, an award of damages, and a determination of willful infringement. In September 2009, Wyeth, Cordis Corporation and Cordis LLC filed suit against Abbott in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey alleging the Xience V stent infringes an additional patent and seeking an injunction and an award of damages. Abbott denies all substantive allegations in each remaining case.

        A case is pending against Abbott in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas brought in July 2008 by Wall Cardiovascular Technologies, LLC in which it asserts that Abbott's Xience V stent infringes a patent. Wall seeks an injunction, damages, and enhanced damages for alleged willful infringement. Abbott asserts that the patent is not infringed, invalid, and unenforceable.

        In December 2008, Medinol Limited sued Abbott in the High Court of Ireland, the District Court in The Hague, Netherlands, and the Regional Court in Dusseldorf, Germany asserting that Abbott's Vision and Xience V stents infringe one of its European stent design patents and seeking damages and injunctions. Medinol has since accused Abbott's Multi-Link 8 and Xience Prime stents of infringement. In Ireland, Abbott asserts that Medinol's patent is invalid and not infringed. In December 2009, the Dutch court found that Abbott's Vision and Xience V stents do not infringe Medinol's patent. In Germany,

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Medinol further asserts that Abbott's Vision, Xience V, Penta, Xience Prime, Multi-Link 8, and Zeta stents infringe two Medinol German stent design patents and one Medinol German stent design utility model. Abbott initiated an action in the German patent court asserting that its stents do not infringe Medinol's patents and seeking a declaration that Medinol's patents are invalid. Abbott also initiated an action in the High Court of Justice in the United Kingdom asserting that Abbott's stents do not infringe Medinol's patent and seeking a declaration that Medinol's patent is invalid. Abbott denies all substantive allegations in each remaining case.

        Abbott is seeking to enforce its patent rights relating to fenofibrate tablets (a drug Abbott sells under the trademark Tricor®). In a case filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in February 2008, Abbott and the patent owner, Laboratories Fournier, S.A. (Fournier), allege infringement of three patents and seek injunctive relief against Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. In November 2009, the parties reached a settlement and this case was dismissed. In a second case filed in the Northern District of Illinois in November 2008, Abbott and Fournier allege infringement of the three patents and seek injunctive relief against Biovail Laboratories International SRL. This case has been transferred to the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. In a third case filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey in March 2009, Abbott and Fournier allege that Lupin Pharmaceuticals and Lupin Limited's proposed generic products infringe the three patents and seek declaratory and injunctive relief. In a fourth case filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey in October 2009, Abbott and Fournier allege infringement of the three patents and seek injunctive relief against Impax Laboratories.

        Abbott is seeking to enforce its patents rights relating to ritonavir/lopinavir tablets (a drug Abbott sells under the trademark Kaletra®). In cases filed in the United States District Courts for the Northern District of Illinois and for the District of Delaware in March 2009, Abbott alleges that Matrix Laboratories, Inc., Matrix Laboratories, Ltd., and Mylan, Inc.'s proposed generic products infringe Abbott's patents and seeks declaratory and injunctive relief. Upon Matrix's motion, the court granted a five-year stay of the litigation unless good cause to lift the stay is shown.

        Abbott is seeking to enforce its patent rights relating to niacin extended release tablets (a drug Abbott sells under the trademark Niaspan®). In a case pending in the United States District Courts for the District of Delaware in March 2009, Abbott alleges that Lupin Pharmaceuticals and Lupin Limited's proposed generic products infringe Abbott's patents and seeks declaratory and injunctive relief.

ITEM 4.    SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

        None.

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 EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

        Executive officers of Abbott are elected annually by the board of directors. All other officers are elected by the board or appointed by the chairman of the board. All officers are either elected at the first meeting of the board of directors held after the annual shareholder meeting or appointed by the chairman after that board meeting. Each officer holds office until a successor has been duly elected or appointed and qualified or until the officer's death, resignation, or removal. Vacancies may be filled at any time by the board. Any officer may be removed by the board of directors when, in its judgment, removal would serve the best interests of Abbott. Any officer appointed by the chairman of the board may be removed by the chairman whenever, in the chairman's judgment, removal would serve the best interests of Abbott. A vacancy in any office appointed by the chairman of the board may be filled by the chairman.

        Abbott's executive officers, their ages as of February 19, 2010, and the dates of their first election as officers of Abbott are listed below. The executive officers' principal occupations and employment for the past five years and the year of appointment to the earliest reported office are also shown. Unless otherwise stated, employment was by Abbott. There are no family relationships between any corporate officers or directors.

Miles D. White, 54

Richard W. Ashley, 66

Olivier Bohuon, 51

John M. Capek, 48

    2003 to 2005 —   Vice President and General Manager, Bioabsorbable Vascular Solutions
(a subsidiary of Guidant Corporation).

19

Thomas C. Freyman, 55

Holger A. Liepmann, 58

Edward L. Michael, 53

Laura J. Schumacher, 46

Carlos Alban, 47

Thomas F. Chen, 60

20

Stephen R. Fussell, 52

Robert B. Hance, 50

John C. Landgraf, 57

Heather L. Mason, 49

James V. Mazzo, 52

    2006 to 2009 —   Chairman of the Board of Directors, Advanced Medical Optics, Inc.
(a global leader in the development, manufacture, and marketing of medical devices
for the eye).

Donald V. Patton Jr., 57

21

Mary T. Szela, 46

    2010 to present —   Senior Vice President, Global Strategic Marketing and Services, Pharmaceutical
Products Group.

Michael J. Warmuth, 47

J. Scott White, 41

    2007 to 2009 —   Division Vice President and Regional Director for Latin America, Abbott Nutrition
International.

 
 
2005 to 2007 —
 
Division Vice President and General Manager for Pediatric Nutrition, Abbott
Nutrition International.

Greg W. Linder, 53

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 PART II

ITEM 5.    MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Principal Market

        The principal market for Abbott's common shares is the New York Stock Exchange. Shares are also listed on the Chicago Stock Exchange and traded on various regional and electronic exchanges. Outside the United States, Abbott's shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Swiss Stock Exchange.

 
   Market Price Per Share  
 
   2009   2008  
 
   high   low   high   low  

First Quarter

   $ 57.39   $ 44.10   $ 61.09   $ 50.09  

Second Quarter

     48.37     41.27     57.04     50.09  

Third Quarter

     49.69     43.45     60.78     52.63  

Fourth Quarter

     54.97     48.41     59.93     45.75  

Shareholders

        There were 67,461 shareholders of record of Abbott common shares as of December 31, 2009.

Dividends

        Quarterly dividends of $.40 and $.36 per share were declared on common shares in 2009 and 2008, respectively.

        Abbott Laboratories is an Illinois High Impact Business (HIB) and is located in a federal Foreign Trade Sub-Zone (Sub-Zone 22F). Dividends may be eligible for a subtraction from base income for Illinois income tax purposes. If you have questions, please contact your tax advisor.

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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Period
  (a) Total Number
of Shares
(or Units)
Purchased 		  (b) Average Price
Paid per Share
(or Unit) 		  (c) Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs 		  (d) Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar Value) of
Shares (or Units) that May
Yet Be Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs 		 

October 1, 2009 — October 31, 2009

     214,337 1 $ 51.598     0   $ 4,192,197,703 2

November 1, 2009 — November 30, 2009

     104,504 1 $ 53.213     0   $ 4,192,197,703 2

December 1, 2009 — December 31, 2009

     316,083 1 $ 54.076     0   $ 4,192,197,703 2

Total

     634,924 1 $ 53.098     0   $ 4,192,197,703 2
1.
These shares represent:

(i)
the shares deemed surrendered to Abbott to pay the exercise price in connection with the exercise of employee stock options — 199,837 in October; 90,004 in November; and 301,583 in December; and

(ii)
the shares purchased on the open market for the benefit of participants in the Abbott Laboratories, Limited Employee Stock Purchase Plan — 14,500 in October; 14,500 in November; and 14,500 in December.
2.
On October 13, 2008, Abbott announced that its board of directors approved the purchase of up to $5 billion of its common shares, from time to time.

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ITEM 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 
   Year ended December 31  
 
   2009   2008   2007   2006   2005  
 
   (dollars in millions, except per share data)
  

Net sales

   $ 30,764.7   $ 29,527.6   $ 25,914.2   $ 22,476.3   $ 22,337.8  

Earnings from continuing operations

     5,745.8     4,734.2     3,606.3     1,716.8 1   3,372.1  

Net earnings

     5,745.8     4,880.7     3,606.3     1,716.8 1   3,372.1  

Basic earnings per common share from continuing operations

     3.71     3.06     2.34     1.12 1   2.17  

Basic earnings per common share

     3.71     3.16     2.34     1.12 1   2.17  

Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations

     3.69     3.03     2.31     1.12 1   2.16  

Diluted earnings per common share

     3.69     3.12     2.31     1.12 1   2.16  

Total assets

     52,416.6     42,419.2     39,713.9     36,178.2     29,141.2  

Long-term debt

     11,266.3     8,713.3     9,487.8     7,009.7     4,571.5  

Cash dividends declared per common share

     1.60     1.44     1.30     1.18     1.10  
1.
In 2006, Abbott recorded pre-tax charges of $2,014 for acquired in-process and collaborations research and development primarily related to the acquisition of Guidant's vascular intervention and endovascular solutions businesses and Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc.

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ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Financial Review

        Abbott's revenues are derived primarily from the sale of a broad line of health care products under short-term receivable arrangements. Patent protection and licenses, technological and performance features, and inclusion of Abbott's products under a contract or by a pharmacy benefit manager most impact which products are sold; price controls, competition and rebates most impact the net selling prices of products; and foreign currency translation impacts the measurement of net sales and costs. Abbott's primary products are prescription pharmaceuticals, nutritional products, diagnostic testing products and vascular products. Sales in international markets are approximately 50 percent of consolidated net sales.

        The worldwide launch of additional indications for HUMIRA, the conclusion of the TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. joint venture, the acquisitions of Advanced Medical Optics, Inc., Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Guidant's vascular intervention and endovascular solutions businesses, followed by the launch of the Xience V drug eluting stent, the loss of patent protection for some pharmaceutical products, the amendment ending the U.S. Synagis co-promotion agreement, and realized gains and unrealized losses on the Boston Scientific common stock have impacted Abbott's sales, costs and financial position over the last three years.

        Pharmaceutical research and development is focused on therapeutic areas that include immunology, oncology, neuroscience, pain management and infectious diseases. In 2003, Abbott began the worldwide launch of HUMIRA for rheumatoid arthritis, followed by launches for five additional indications, which increased HUMIRA's worldwide sales to $5.5 billion in 2009 compared to $4.5 billion in 2008, and $3.0 billion in 2007. Abbott forecasts worldwide HUMIRA sales to increase by approximately 20 percent in 2010. Abbott is studying additional indications for HUMIRA. Substantial research and development and selling support has been and continues to be dedicated to maximizing the worldwide potential of HUMIRA. In December 2006, Abbott acquired Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. which complemented Abbott's existing franchise in the dyslipidemia market and strengthened the pharmaceutical pipeline for cholesterol management. Abbott's Trilipix, a next-generation product for management of triglycerides and the first product approved for use in combination with a statin was launched in 2008. Increased generic competition has resulted in worldwide Depakote sales declining from $1.6 billion in 2007 to $426 million in 2009, U.S. sales of Omnicef declining from $235 million in 2007 to $3 million in 2009 and worldwide sales of clarithromycin declining from $724 million in 2007 to $599 million in 2009.

        In 2007, Abbott's nutritional products businesses were reorganized into a worldwide business to better leverage the opportunities available for strong nutritional brands. Significant efforts have been focused on capturing those opportunities, particularly in developing markets where growth has been strong.

        In 2008, Abbott received FDA approval to market the Xience V drug eluting stent in the U.S. and in 2006 received European Union approval. Xience V became the market-leading drug eluting stent in the U.S. in the fourth quarter of 2008. In June 2009, Xience PRIME, Abbott's next generation drug eluting stent, received CE Mark approval and was launched in Europe in August 2009. Abbott received approval to market Xience V in Japan in January 2010.

        In April 2006, Abbott acquired 64.6 million shares of Boston Scientific in connection with Abbott's acquisition of the vascular intervention and endovascular solutions businesses of Guidant. In 2007, the net loss charged to expense for the investment was $153 million. At December 31, 2007, Abbott held 26.4 million shares of Boston Scientific common stock. In 2008, all of these shares were sold resulting in a small gain.

        Abbott's short- and long-term debt totaled $16.5 billion at December 31, 2009, largely incurred to finance recent acquisitions. Operating cash flows in excess of capital expenditures and cash dividends have partially funded acquisitions over the last three years. At December 31, 2009, Abbott's long-term debt

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rating was AA by Standard and Poor's Corporation and A1 by Moody's Investors Service. Abbott's access to short-term financing was not affected by the credit market conditions in 2008 and early 2009.

        In April 2008, Abbott and Takeda concluded their TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. (TAP) joint venture, evenly splitting the value and assets of the joint venture in a tax-free exchange. Abbott received TAP's Lupron business in exchange for Abbott's 50 percent ownership in TAP. Lupron's U.S. results are included in the Pharmaceutical Products segment beginning in May 2008. Abbott also receives payments based on specified development, approval and commercial events being achieved with respect to products retained by Takeda and payments from Takeda based on sales of products retained by Takeda.

        In 2010, Abbott will focus on several key initiatives. In the pharmaceutical business, Abbott will continue to build its global presence, expand its presence in emerging markets and diversify its sources of growth with its previously announced acquisition of Solvay's pharmaceuticals business, which closed on February 15, 2010. Abbott will also continue maximizing the market potential for HUMIRA and continue to leverage the product and pipeline opportunities of its lipid franchise, including Certriad, which is expected to receive approval in the first half of 2010. Pharmaceutical research and development efforts will continue to focus on the therapeutic areas noted above with a significant portion of the development expenditures allocated to compounds in early and mid-stage development for oncology, immunology, Hepatitis C, neuroscience, and pain management. Such compounds include two oncology compounds in advanced clinical trials, ABT-874 (a biologic for psoriasis), three HCV compounds in human studies, and two compounds in Phase II clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease. In the vascular business, Abbott launched the Xience V drug-eluting stent in Japan after receiving approval in January 2010, and will also focus on marketing Xience PRIME in Europe and other markets as well as development of Xience PRIME in the U.S. and its bioabsorbable stent. In the other business segments, Abbott will focus on developing or acquiring differentiated technologies in higher growth segments of those markets.

Critical Accounting Policies

        Sales Rebates — Approximately 50 percent of Abbott's consolidated gross revenues are subject to various forms of rebates and allowances that Abbott records as reductions of revenues at the time of sale. Most of these rebates and allowances are in the Pharmaceutical Products segment and the Nutritional Products segment. Abbott provides rebates to pharmacy benefit management companies, state agencies that administer the federal Medicaid program, insurance companies that administer Medicare drug plans, state agencies that administer the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), wholesalers, group purchasing organizations, and other government agencies and private entities. Rebate amounts are usually based upon the volume of purchases using contractual or statutory prices for a product. Factors used in the rebate calculations include the identification of which products have been sold subject to a rebate, which customer or government agency price terms apply, and the estimated lag time between sale and payment of a rebate. Using historical trends, adjusted for current changes, Abbott estimates the amount of the rebate that will be paid, and records the liability as a reduction of gross sales when Abbott records its sale of the product. Settlement of the rebate generally occurs from two to 24 months after sale. Abbott regularly analyzes the historical rebate trends and makes adjustments to reserves for changes in trends and terms of rebate programs. Rebates and chargebacks charged against gross sales in 2009, 2008 and 2007 amounted to approximately $4.4 billion, $3.8 billion and $3.2 billion, respectively, or 23.8 percent, 22.8 percent and 21.5 percent, respectively, based on gross sales of approximately $18.4 billion, $16.8 billion and $15.0 billion, respectively, subject to rebate. A one-percentage point increase in the percentage of rebates to related gross sales would decrease net sales by approximately $184 million in 2009. Abbott considers a one-percentage point increase to be a reasonably likely increase in the percentage of rebates to related gross sales. Other allowances charged against gross sales were approximately $414 million, $362 million and $325 million for cash discounts in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $456 million, $439 million and $269 million for returns in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Cash discounts are known within 15 to 30 days of sale, and therefore can be reliably

27


estimated. Returns can be reliably estimated because Abbott's historical returns are low, and because sales returns terms and other sales terms have remained relatively unchanged for several periods.

        Management analyzes the adequacy of ending rebate accrual balances each quarter. In the domestic nutritional business, management uses both internal and external data available to estimate the level of inventory in the distribution channel. Management has access to several large customers' inventory management data, and for other customers, utilizes data from a third party that measures time on the retail shelf. These sources allow management to make reliable estimates of inventory in the distribution channel. Except for a transition period before or after a change in the supplier for the WIC business in a state, inventory in the distribution channel does not vary substantially. Management also estimates the states' processing lag time based on claims data. In addition, internal processing time is a factor in estimating the accrual. In the WIC business, the state where the sale is made, which is the determining factor for the applicable price, is reliably determinable. Estimates are required for the amount of WIC sales within each state where Abbott has the WIC business. External data sources utilized for that estimate are participant data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which administers the WIC program, participant data from some of the states, and internally administered market research. The USDA has been making its data available for many years. Internal data includes historical redemption rates and pricing data. At December 31, 2009, Abbott had the exclusive WIC business in 24 states.

        In the domestic pharmaceutical business, the most significant charges against gross sales are for Medicaid and Medicare Rebates, Pharmacy Benefit Manager Rebates and Wholesaler Chargebacks. In order to evaluate the adequacy of the ending accrual balances, management uses both internal and external data to estimate the level of inventory in the distribution channel and the rebate claims processing lag time. External data sources used to estimate the inventory in the distribution channel include inventory levels periodically reported by wholesalers and third party market data purchased by Abbott. Management estimates the processing lag time based on periodic sampling of claims data. To estimate the price rebate percentage, systems and calculations are used to track sales by product by customer and to estimate the contractual or statutory price. Abbott's systems and calculations have developed over time as rebates have become more significant, and Abbott believes they are reliable.

        The following table is an analysis of the four largest rebate accruals, which comprise approximately 67 percent of the consolidated rebate provisions charged against revenues in 2009. Remaining rebate provisions charged against gross sales are not significant in the determination of operating earnings. (dollars in millions)

 
    
   Domestic Pharmaceutical Products  
 
   Domestic
Nutritionals
WIC Rebates 		  Medicaid and
Medicare Rebates 		  Pharmacy Benefit
Manager Rebates 		  Wholesaler
Chargebacks 		 

Balance at January 1, 2007

   $ 136   $ 485   $ 220   $ 87  

Provisions

     754     438     412     786  

Payments

     (691 )   (503 )   (395 )   (781 )
                   

Balance at December 31, 2007

     199     420     237     92  

Provisions

     808     556     397     1,034  

Payments

     (845 )   (681 )   (406 )   (980 )
                   

Balance at December 31, 2008

     162     295     228     146  

Provisions

     747     563     505     1,134  

Payments

     (756 )   (506 )   (494 )   (1,120 )
                   

Balance at December 31, 2009

   $ 153   $ 352   $ 239   $ 160  
                   

        Historically, adjustments to prior years' rebate accruals have not been material to net income. In 2007, adjustments were made to prior years' rebate accruals. The Medicaid and Medicare rebate accrual was

28


reduced by approximately $69 million and the WIC rebate accrual was increased by approximately $19 million. Abbott employs various techniques to verify the accuracy of claims submitted to it, and where possible, works with the organizations submitting claims to gain insight into changes that might affect the rebate amounts. For Medicaid, Medicare and other government agency programs, the calculation of a rebate involves interpretations of relevant regulations, which are subject to challenge or change in interpretation.

        Income Taxes — Abbott operates in numerous countries where its income tax returns are subject to audits and adjustments. Because Abbott operates globally, the nature of the audit items are often very complex, and the objectives of the government auditors can result in a tax on the same income in more than one country. Abbott employs internal and external tax professionals to minimize audit adjustment amounts where possible. In accordance with the accounting rules relating to the measurement of tax contingencies, in order to recognize an uncertain tax benefit, the taxpayer must be more likely than not of sustaining the position, and the measurement of the benefit is calculated as the largest amount that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon resolution of the benefit. Application of these rules requires a significant amount of judgment. In the U.S., Abbott's federal income tax returns through 2005 are settled, and the income tax returns for years after 2005 are open. Abbott does not record deferred income taxes on earnings reinvested indefinitely in foreign subsidiaries.

        Pension and Post-Employment Benefits — Abbott offers pension benefits and post-employment health care to many of its employees. Abbott engages outside actuaries to assist in the determination of the obligations and costs under these programs. Abbott must develop long-term assumptions, the most significant of which are the health care cost trend rates, discount rates and the expected return on plan assets. The discount rates used to measure liabilities were determined based on high-quality fixed income securities that match the duration of the expected retiree benefits. The health care cost trend rates represent Abbott's expected annual rates of change in the cost of health care benefits and is a forward projection of health care costs as of the measurement date. A difference between the assumed rates and the actual rates, which will not be known for decades, can be significant in relation to the obligations and the annual cost recorded for these programs. Negative asset returns in 2008 due to poor market conditions and low interest rates have significantly increased actuarial losses for these plans. At December 31, 2009, pretax net actuarial losses and prior service costs and (credits) recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for Abbott's defined benefit plans and medical and dental plans were losses of $2.7 billion and $501 million, respectively. Actuarial losses and gains are amortized over the remaining service attribution periods of the employees under the corridor method, in accordance with the rules for accounting for post-employment benefits. Differences between the expected long-term return on plan assets and the actual annual return are amortized over a five-year period. Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements describes the impact of a one-percentage point change in the health care cost trend rate; however, there can be no certainty that a change would be limited to only one percentage point.

        Valuation of Intangible Assets — Abbott has acquired and continues to acquire significant intangible assets that Abbott records at fair value. Transactions involving the purchase or sale of intangible assets occur with some frequency between companies in the health care field and valuations are usually based on a discounted cash flow analysis. The discounted cash flow model requires assumptions about the timing and amount of future net cash flows, risk, the cost of capital, terminal values and market participants. Each of these factors can significantly affect the value of the intangible asset. Abbott engages independent valuation experts who review Abbott's critical assumptions and calculations for acquisitions of significant intangibles. Abbott reviews definite-lived intangible assets for impairment each quarter using an undiscounted net cash flows approach. If the undiscounted cash flows of an intangible asset are less than the carrying value of an intangible asset, the intangible asset is written down to its fair value, which is usually the discounted cash flow amount. Where cash flows cannot be identified for an individual asset, the review is applied at the lowest group level for which cash flows are identifiable. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, which relate to in-process research and development acquired in a business

29

combination, are reviewed for impairment annually or when an event that could result in an impairment occurs. At December 31, 2009, goodwill and intangibles amounted to $13.2 billion and $6.3 billion, respectively, and amortization expense for intangible assets amounted to $879 million in 2009. There were no impairments of goodwill in 2009, 2008 or 2007.

        Litigation — Abbott accounts for litigation losses in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification No. 450, "Contingencies." Under ASC No. 450, loss contingency provisions are recorded for probable losses at management's best estimate of a loss, or when a best estimate cannot be made, a minimum loss contingency amount is recorded. These estimates are often initially developed substantially earlier than the ultimate loss is known, and the estimates are refined each accounting period as additional information becomes known. Accordingly, Abbott is often initially unable to develop a best estimate of loss, and therefore the minimum amount, which could be zero, is recorded. As information becomes known, either the minimum loss amount is increased, resulting in additional loss provisions, or a best estimate can be made, also resulting in additional loss provisions. Occasionally, a best estimate amount is changed to a lower amount when events result in an expectation of a more favorable outcome than previously expected. Except for the cases discussed in Note 8 for which Abbott is unable to estimate a loss, if any, Abbott estimates the range of possible loss to be from approximately $170 million to $310 million for its legal proceedings and environmental exposures. Reserves of approximately $215 million have been recorded at December 31, 2009 for these proceedings and exposures. These reserves represent management's best estimate of probable loss, as defined by FASB ASC No. 450, "Contingencies."

        Stock Compensation — Abbott records the fair value of stock options in its results of operations. Since there is no market for trading employee stock options, management must use a fair value method. There is no certainty that the results of a fair value method would be the value at which employee stock options would be traded for cash. Fair value methods require management to make several assumptions, the most significant of which are the selection of a fair value model, stock price volatility and the average life of an option. Abbott has readily available grant-by-grant historical activity for several years in its option administration system that it uses in developing some of its assumptions. Abbott uses the Black-Scholes method to value stock options. Abbott uses both historical volatility of its stock price and the implied volatility of traded options to develop the volatility assumptions. Abbott uses the historical grant activity, combined with expectations about future exercise activity, to develop the average life assumptions. Abbott has also used the historical grant data to evaluate whether certain holders of stock options exercised their options differently than other holders and has not found any differentiating pattern among holders.

30

Results of Operations

Sales

        The following table details the components of sales growth by reportable segment for the last three years:

 
    
   Components of Change %  
 
   Total
% Change 		 
 
   Price   Volume   Exchange  

Total Net Sales

                          

2009 vs. 2008

    
4.2		    
(0.1
)		  
8.3		    
(4.0
)

2008 vs. 2007

     13.9     1.4     9.3     3.2  

2007 vs. 2006

     15.3     1.2     10.9     3.2  

Total U.S.

                          

2009 vs. 2008

    
0.4		    
(0.3
)		  
0.7		    
—		  

2008 vs. 2007

     10.1     3.4     6.7     —  

2007 vs. 2006

     12.0     4.0     8.0     —  

Total International

                          

2009 vs. 2008

    
7.7		    
0.2		    
15.1		    
(7.6
)

2008 vs. 2007

     17.8     (0.5 )   12.0     6.3  

2007 vs. 2006

     18.8     (1.7 )   14.0     6.5  

Pharmaceutical Products Segment

                          

2009 vs. 2008

    
(1.3
)		  
(0.1
)		  
3.0		    
(4.2
)

2008 vs. 2007

     14.2     1.9     9.1     3.2  

2007 vs. 2006

     18.0     2.4     12.3     3.3  

Nutritional Products Segment

                          

2009 vs. 2008

    
7.3		    
1.5		    
8.6		    
(2.8
)

2008 vs. 2007

     12.2     3.4     6.9     1.9  

2007 vs. 2006

     1.7     1.4     (1.4 )   1.7  

Diagnostic Products Segment

                          

2009 vs. 2008

    
0.1		    
1.4		    
3.7		    
(5.0
)

2008 vs. 2007

     13.2     1.3     6.8     5.1  

2007 vs. 2006

     11.1     (0.6 )   7.0     4.7  

Vascular Products Segment

                          

2009 vs. 2008

    
20.1		    
(2.9
)		  
26.0		    
(3.0
)

2008 vs. 2007

     34.7     (4.6 )   35.8     3.5  

2007 vs. 2006

     53.8     (4.7 )   55.4     3.1  

        Worldwide sales growth in 2009 reflects unit growth and the acquisition of Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. on February 25, 2009, partially offset by the negative effect of the relatively stronger U.S. dollar. Worldwide, U.S. and Pharmaceutical Products segment sales also reflect decreased sales of Depakote due to generic competition. Excluding U.S. Depakote sales in 2009 and 2008, worldwide sales increased 7.7 percent, U.S. sales increased 7.6 percent and Pharmaceutical Products segment sales increased 4.3 percent. Worldwide 2008 sales growth reflects unit growth and the positive effect of the relatively weaker U.S. dollar. Worldwide 2007 sales growth reflects the acquisitions of Guidant's vascular intervention and endovascular solutions businesses on April 21, 2006 and Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. in the fourth quarter of 2006. Sales growth in 2007 for the Nutritional Products segment reflects the completion

31


of the U.S. co-promotion of Synagis in 2006. Excluding sales of Synagis in 2006, Nutritional Products segment sales increased 11.3 percent in 2007.

        A comparison of significant product group sales is as follows. Percent changes are versus the prior year and are based on unrounded numbers.

 
   2009   Percent
Change 		  2008   Percent
Change 		  2007   Percent
Change 		 
 
   (dollars in millions)
  

Pharmaceuticals —

                                      

U.S. Specialty

  
$
4,676		    
(10
)
$
5,211		    
20		  
$
4,349		    
24		  

U.S. Primary Care

     3,043     (2 )   3,102     (1 )   3,139     23  

International Pharmaceuticals

     7,861     6     7,399     23     6,002     16  

Nutritionals —

                                      

U.S. Pediatric Nutritionals

    
1,306		    
3		    
1,268		    
3		    
1,233		    
9		  

International Pediatric Nutritionals

     1,543     12     1,374     26     1,093     22  

U.S. Adult Nutritionals

     1,269     9     1,162     8     1,077     2  

International Adult Nutritionals

     1,106     3     1,070     13     947     15  

Diagnostics —

                                      

Immunochemistry

    
2,798		    
(2
)		  
2,843		    
13		    
2,517		    
11		  

        Decreased sales of Depakote due to generic competition impacted U.S. Specialty product sales in 2009 and 2008. This was partially offset by increased sales of HUMIRA and by the addition of Lupron sales from the conclusion of the TAP joint venture in April 2008. Increased sales of HUMIRA and Depakote impacted U.S. Specialty product sales in 2007. U.S. sales of HUMIRA were $2.5 billion, $2.2 billion and $1.6 billion in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and U.S. sales of Depakote were $331 million, $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. U.S. Primary Care sales in all three years were impacted by decreased sales of Omnicef, Synthroid and Biaxin due to generic competition. This was partially offset in 2009 and 2008 by increased sales of Niaspan and in 2008 by higher TriCor/Trilipix franchise sales. U.S. Primary Care sales in 2007 were favorably impacted by sales of TriCor and Niaspan, a new product from the acquisition of Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. in the fourth quarter of 2006. Increased sales volume of HUMIRA in all three years favorably impacted International Pharmaceuticals sales, partially offset by decreased sales of clarithromycin in 2009 and 2008 due to generic competition. International sales of HUMIRA were $3.0 billion, $2.3 billion and $1.4 billion in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The relatively stronger U.S. dollar decreased International Pharmaceutical sales in 2009 by 8.6 percent and the relatively weaker U.S. dollar increased International Pharmaceutical sales in 2008 and 2007 by 7.3 percent and 7.1 percent, respectively. International Pediatric Nutritionals sales increases were due primarily to volume growth in developing countries. International Adult Nutritionals sales and Immunochemistry sales in 2009 were negatively impacted by the effect of the relatively stronger U.S. dollar. Abbott has periodically sold product rights to non-strategic products and has recorded the related gains in net sales in accordance with Abbott's revenue recognition policies as discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. Related net sales were $120 million, $111 million and $184 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

        The expiration of licenses, patent protection and generic competition can affect the future revenues and operating income of Abbott. There are currently no significant patent or license expirations in the next three years.

Operating Earnings

        Gross profit margins were 57.1 percent of net sales in 2009, 57.3 percent in 2008 and 55.9 percent in 2007. The decrease in the gross profit margin in 2009 was due, in part, to the negative impact from lower sales of Depakote and the unfavorable effect of exchange on the gross profit margin ratio; partially offset by

32


improved margins in the vascular and diagnostics businesses. The increase in the gross profit margin in 2008 was due, in part, to favorable product mix and the favorable impact of foreign exchange. The decrease in the gross profit margin in 2007 was due, in part, to the unfavorable impact in 2007 of the completion of the U.S. co-promotion of Synagis in 2006 as well as generic competition for Omnicef and Biaxin sales in 2007.

        In the U.S., states receive price rebates from manufacturers of infant formula under the federally subsidized Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. There are also rebate programs for pharmaceutical products. These rebate programs continue to have a negative effect on the gross profit margins of the Nutritional and Pharmaceutical Products segments.

        Research and development expense was $2.744 billion in 2009, $2.689 billion in 2008 and $2.506 billion in 2007 and represented increases of 2.0 percent in 2009, 7.3 percent in 2008 and 11.1 percent in 2007. The increase in 2009 reflects the favorable effect of exchange rates which reduced research and development expense in 2009. Excluding the effect of exchange, research and development expenses increased 3.4 percent in 2009. The increase in 2007 was affected by the acquisitions of Guidant's vascular intervention and endovascular solutions businesses in April 2006 and Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. in the fourth quarter of 2006. These increases, excluding the effects of exchange, also reflect continued pipeline spending, including programs in vascular devices, immunology, neuroscience, oncology, Hepatitis C and pain management. The majority of research and development expenditures are concentrated on pharmaceutical products.

        Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 0.4 percent in 2009 compared to increases of 13.9 percent in 2008 and 16.7 percent in 2007. The 2009 decrease reflects the favorable effect of exchange rates which was offset by expenses relating to the acquisition of Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. and the settlement of litigation. Excluding the effects of the charges and exchange, selling, general and administrative expenses increased 0.9 percent in 2009. The 2008 increase reflects the settlement of litigation relating to TriCor, which increased selling, general and administration expenses by 3.1 percentage points. The 2007 increase reflects the acquisitions of Guidant's vascular intervention and endovascular solutions businesses and Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. The remaining increases in selling, general and administrative expenses were due primarily to increased selling and marketing support for new and existing products, including continued spending for HUMIRA and Xience V, and inflation.

Conclusion of TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. Joint Venture and Sale of Abbott's Spine Business

        On April 30, 2008, Abbott and Takeda concluded their TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. (TAP) joint venture, evenly splitting the value and assets of the joint venture. Abbott exchanged its 50 percent equity interest in TAP for the assets, liabilities and employees related to TAP's Lupron business. Subsequent to the conclusion of the joint venture, TAP was merged into two Takeda entities. The exchange of Abbott's investment in TAP for TAP's Lupron business resulted in a gain at closing of approximately $94 million. The Internal Revenue Service has issued a private letter ruling that the transaction qualifies as tax-free for U.S. income tax purposes.

        Beginning on May 1, 2008, Abbott began recording U.S. Lupron net sales and costs in its operating results and no longer records income from the TAP joint venture. TAP's sales of Lupron were $182 million for the four months ended April 30, 2008 and $645 million in 2007. Abbott also receives payments based on specified development, approval and commercial events being achieved with respect to products retained by Takeda and payments from Takeda based on sales of products retained by Takeda, which are recorded by Abbott as Other (income) expense, net as earned.

        The exchange transaction was accounted for as a sale of Abbott's equity interest in TAP and as an acquisition of TAP's Lupron business. The sale of Abbott's equity interest in TAP resulted in the recording of net assets related to the Lupron business, primarily cash, receivables, inventory and other assets, net of accounts payable and other accrued liabilities, offset by a credit to Abbott's investment in TAP in the amount of approximately $280 million.

33

        For the acquired Lupron business, Abbott recorded intangible assets, primarily Lupron product rights, of approximately $700 million, goodwill of approximately $350 million and deferred tax liabilities related primarily to the intangible assets of approximately $260 million. The intangible assets are being amortized over 15 years. Abbott has also agreed to remit cash to Takeda if certain research and development events are not achieved on the development assets retained by Takeda. These amounts were recorded as a liability at closing in the amount of approximately $1.1 billion. Related deferred tax assets of approximately $410 million were also recorded. Of the $1.1 billion, Abbott made tax-deductible payments of $83 million and $200 million in 2009 and 2008, respectively, and Abbott will make a tax-deductible payment of approximately $36 million in 2010. In 2009, events occurred resulting in the remaining payments not being required and the remaining liability in the amount of $797 million was derecognized and recorded as income in Other (income) expense, net.

        The 50 percent-owned joint venture was accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Summarized financial information for TAP follows below. The results for 2008 include results through April 30. (dollars in millions)

 
   Year Ended December 31  
 
   2008   2007  

Net sales

   $ 853   $ 3,002  

Cost of sales

     229     720  

Income before taxes

     356     1,564  

Net income

     238     996  

        In the fourth quarter of 2008, Abbott sold its spine business for approximately $360 million in cash, resulting in an after-tax gain of approximately $147 million which is presented as Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes, in the accompanying statement of income. The operations and financial position of the spine business are not presented as discontinued operations because the effects would not be significant.

Restructurings

        In 2008, Abbott management approved a plan to streamline global manufacturing operations, reduce overall costs, and improve efficiencies in Abbott's core diagnostic business. In 2008, Abbott recorded a charge to Cost of products sold of approximately $129 million under the plan. Additional charges of approximately $54 million and $16 million were recorded in 2009 and 2008, respectively, relating to this restructuring, primarily for accelerated depreciation and product transfer costs. Additional charges will be incurred through 2011 as a result of product re-registration timelines required under manufacturing regulations in a number of countries and product transition timelines. The following summarizes the activity for this restructuring: (dollars in millions)

2008 restructuring charge

   $ 129  

Payments and other adjustments

     (19 )
       

Accrued balance at December 31, 2008

     110  

Payments and other adjustments

     (12 )
       

Accrued balance at December 31, 2009

   $ 98  
       

        In 2009 and prior years, Abbott management approved plans to realign its worldwide pharmaceutical and vascular manufacturing operations and selected domestic and international commercial and research and development operations in order to reduce costs. In 2009, 2008 and 2007, Abbott recorded charges of approximately $114 million, $36 million and $107 million, respectively, reflecting the impairment of manufacturing facilities and other assets, employee severance and other related charges. Approximately $94 million in 2007 is classified as cost of products sold, $3 million in 2007 as research and development

34


and $114 million, $36 million and $10 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, as selling, general and administrative. Fair value for the determination of the amount of asset impairments was determined primarily based on a discounted cash flow method. An additional $47 million, $81 million and $90 million were subsequently recorded in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, relating to these restructurings, primarily for accelerated depreciation. In addition, Abbott implemented facilities restructuring plans in 2007 related to the acquired operations of Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. which resulted in an increase to goodwill of approximately $52 million. The following summarizes the activity for these restructurings: (dollars in millions)

Accrued balance at January 1, 2007

   $ 193  

2007 restructuring charges

     159  

Payments, impairments and other adjustments

     (158 )
       

Accrued balance at December 31, 2007

     194  

2008 restructuring charges

     36  

Payments, impairments and other adjustments

     (125 )
       

Accrued balance at December 31, 2008

     105  

2009 restructuring charges

     114  

Payments and other adjustments

     (74 )
       

Accrued balance at December 31, 2009

   $ 145  
       

Interest expense and Interest (income)

        In 2009 and 2008, interest expense decreased primarily as a result of lower interest rates, partially offset by increased debt levels in 2009 related to the acquisition of Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. Interest expense increased in 2007 due primarily to higher borrowings as a result of the acquisitions of Guidant's vascular intervention and endovascular solutions businesses and Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Abbott's investment in the Boston Scientific common stock and note receivable. Interest income decreased in 2009 due to lower interest rates and increased in 2008 and 2007 due to higher investment balances.

Other (income) expense, net

        Other (income) expense, net, for 2009 includes the derecognition of a contingent liability of $797 million associated with the conclusion of the TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. joint venture as discussed above, a $287 million gain from the settlement reached between Abbott and Medtronic, Inc. resolving all outstanding intellectual property litigation between the two parties and income from the recording of certain investments at fair value in connection with business acquisitions. Other (income) expense, net, for 2009 and 2008 also includes ongoing contractual payments from Takeda associated with the conclusion of the TAP joint venture and a gain in 2008 on the sale of an equity investment accounted for as an available-for-sale investment. In addition, Abbott recorded a gain of approximately $94 million in connection with the dissolution of the TAP joint venture in 2008. Other (income) expense, net for 2007 includes a $190 million fair market value loss adjustment to Abbott's investment in Boston Scientific common stock and a realized gain of $37 million on the sales of Boston Scientific common stock.

Taxes on Earnings

        The income tax rates on earnings from continuing operations were 20.1 percent in 2009, 19.2 percent in 2008 and 19.3 percent in 2007. The tax rate in 2009 was effected by a higher tax rate applied to the derecognition of a contingent liability associated with the conclusion of the TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. joint venture and the Medtronic intellectual property litigation settlement. Abbott expects to apply an annual effective rate of between 16 percent and 16.5 percent in 2010.

35

Business Combinations, Technology Acquisitions and Related Transactions

        On January 1, 2009, Abbott adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), "Business Combinations," as codified in FASB ASC No. 805, "Business Combinations." Under ASC No. 805, acquired in-process research and development is accounted for as an indefinite-lived intangible asset until approval or discontinuation rather than as expense, acquisition costs in connection with an acquisition are expensed rather than added to the cost of an acquisition and the fair value of contingent consideration at the date of an acquisition is added to the cost of the acquisition.

        In February 2009, Abbott acquired the outstanding shares of Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. (AMO) for approximately $1.4 billion in cash, net of cash held by AMO. Prior to the acquisition, Abbott held a small investment in AMO. Abbott acquired AMO to take advantage of increasing demand for vision care technologies due to population growth and demographic shifts and AMO's premier position in its field. Abbott acquired control of this business on February 25, 2009 and the financial results of the acquired operations are included in these financial statements beginning on that date. The acquisition was financed with long-term debt. The allocation of the fair value of the acquisition is shown in the table below: (dollars in billions)

Goodwill, non-deductible

   $ 1.7  

Acquired intangible assets, non-deductible

     0.9  

Acquired in-process research and development, non-deductible

     0.2  

Acquired net tangible assets

     0.4  

Acquired debt

     (1.5 )

Deferred income taxes recorded at acquisition

     (0.3 )
       

Total allocation of fair value

   $ 1.4  
       

        Acquired intangible assets consist of established customer relationships, developed technology and trade names and will be amortized over 2 to 30 years (average of 15 years). Acquired in-process research and development will be accounted for as an indefinite-lived intangible asset until regulatory approval or discontinuation. The net tangible assets acquired consist primarily of trade accounts receivable, inventory, property and equipment and other assets, net of assumed liabilities, primarily trade accounts payable, accrued compensation and other liabilities. Abbott incurred approximately $89 million of acquisition-related expenses in 2009 which are classified as Selling, general and administrative expense. In addition, subsequent to the acquisition, Abbott repaid substantially all of the acquired debt of AMO.

        In October 2009, Abbott acquired 100 percent of Visiogen, Inc. for $400 million, in cash, providing Abbott with a next-generation accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) technology to address presbyopia for cataract patients. The preliminary allocation of the fair value of the acquisition resulted in non-deductible acquired in-process research and development of approximately $195 million which will be accounted for as an indefinite-lived intangible asset until regulatory approval or discontinuation, non-deductible definite-lived intangible assets of approximately $33 million, goodwill of approximately $260 million and deferred income taxes of approximately $89 million. Acquired intangible assets consist of developed technology and will be amortized over 12 years. The allocation of the fair value of the acquisition will be finalized when the valuation is completed.

        In October 2009, Abbott acquired Evalve, Inc. for $320 million, in cash, plus an additional payment of $90 million to be made upon completion of certain regulatory milestones. Abbott acquired Evalve to obtain a presence in the growing area of percutaneous treatment for structural heart disease. Including a previous investment in Evalve, Abbott has acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Evalve. In connection with the acquisition, the carrying amount of this investment was revalued to fair value resulting in recording $28 million of income, which is reported as Other (income) expense, net. The preliminary allocation of the fair value of the acquisition resulted in non-deductible definite-lived intangible assets of approximately $145 million, non-deductible acquired in-process research and development of

36


approximately $228 million which will be accounted for as an indefinite-lived intangible asset until regulatory approval or discontinuation, goodwill of approximately $158 million and deferred income taxes of approximately $136 million. Acquired intangible assets consist of developed technology and will be amortized over 12 years. The allocation of the fair value of the acquisition will be finalized when the valuation is completed.

        In January 2009, Abbott acquired Ibis Biosciences, Inc. (Ibis) for $175 million, in cash, to expand Abbott's position in molecular diagnostics for infectious disease. Including a $40 million investment in Ibis in 2008, Abbott has acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Ibis. A substantial portion of the fair value of the acquisition has been allocated to goodwill and amortizable intangible assets, and acquired in-process research and development that will be accounted for as an indefinite-lived intangible asset until regulatory approval or discontinuation. The investment in Ibis in 2008 resulted in a charge to acquired in-process research and development. In connection with the acquisition, the carrying amount of this investment was revalued to fair value resulting in recording $33 million of income, which is reported as Other (income) expense, net.

        Had the above acquisitions taken place on January 1 of the previous year, consolidated net sales and income would not have been significantly different from reported amounts.

        In December 2009, Abbott acquired the global rights to a novel biologic for the treatment of chronic pain for $170 million, in cash, resulting in a charge to acquired in-process research and development.

        In September 2009, Abbott announced an agreement to acquire Solvay's pharmaceuticals business for EUR 4.5 billion (approximately $6.2 billion), in cash, plus additional payments of up to EUR 300 million if certain sales milestones are met. This acquisition will provide Abbott with a large and complementary portfolio of pharmaceutical products and a significant presence in key global emerging markets and will add approximately $500 million to Abbott's research and development spending. The transaction closed on February 15, 2010. Sales for the acquired business are forecast to be approximately $2.9 billion in 2010. The allocation of the fair value of the acquisition will be finalized when the valuation is completed.

Financial Condition

Cash Flow

        Net cash from operating activities of continuing operations amounted to $7.3 billion, $7.0 billion and $5.2 billion in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Cash from operating activities of continuing operations in 2008 compared to 2007 is higher due to higher operating earnings, decreased prepaid expenses and other assets, and increased trade accounts payable and other liabilities. Abbott funds its domestic pension plans according to IRS funding limitations. Abbott funded $700 million in 2009, and $200 million annually in 2008 and 2007 to the main domestic pension plan. Abbott expects pension funding for its main domestic pension plan of $200 million annually. Abbott expects annual cash flow from operating activities to continue to exceed Abbott's capital expenditures and cash dividends.

Debt and Capital

        At December 31, 2009, Abbott's long-term debt rating was AA by Standard & Poor's Corporation and A1 by Moody's Investors Service. Abbott has readily available financial resources, including unused lines of credit of $6.3 billion that support commercial paper borrowing arrangements of which a $3.3 billion facility expires in October 2010 and a $3.0 billion facility expires in 2012. Related compensating balances, which are subject to withdrawal by Abbott at its option, and commitment fees are not material. Abbott's access to short-term financing was not affected by the credit market conditions in 2008 and early 2009.

        In October 2008, the board of directors authorized the purchase of up to $5 billion of Abbott's common shares from time to time. Under this authorization, 14.5 million shares were purchased in 2009 at a cost of approximately $800 million and 146,400 shares were purchased in 2008 at a cost of approximately

37


$8 million. In 2008 and 2007, Abbott purchased approximately 19.0 million of its common shares in each period at a cost of approximately $1.1 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively, under a prior authorization.

        Under a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in February 2009, Abbott issued $3.0 billion of long-term debt in the first quarter of 2009 that matures in 2019 and 2039 with interest rates of 5.125 percent and 6.0 percent, respectively. Proceeds from this debt were used to fund the acquisition of Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. and to repay debt of Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. In addition, Abbott repaid $1 billion of long-term notes that were due in 2009 using short-term borrowings. Under a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in February 2006, Abbott issued $3.5 billion of long-term debt in 2007 that matures in 2012 through 2037 with interest rates ranging from 5.15 percent to 6.15 percent. Proceeds from this debt were used to pay down short-term borrowings that were incurred to partially fund the acquisition of Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc.

        The acquisition of Solvay's pharmaceuticals business on February 15, 2010 was funded with current cash and short-term investments.

        The judgment entered by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against Abbott in its litigation with New York University and Centocor, Inc. requires Abbott to secure the judgment in the event that its appeal to the Federal Circuit court is unsuccessful in overturning the district court's decision. Abbott expects to deposit approximately $1.8 billion with an escrow agent during the first quarter of 2010 and will consider these assets to be restricted.

Working Capital

        Working capital was $10.3 billion at December 31, 2009, $5.5 billion at December 31, 2008 and $4.9 billion at December 31, 2007. The increase in working capital in 2009 was due, primarily, to increased levels of cash and investments and the derecognition of a contingent liability associated with the conclusion of the TAP joint venture; partially offset by increased debt levels.

Capital Expenditures

        Capital expenditures of $1.1 billion in 2009, $1.3 billion in 2008 and $1.7 billion in 2007 were principally for upgrading and expanding manufacturing, research and development, investments in information technology and administrative support facilities in all segments, and for laboratory instruments placed with customers.

Contractual Obligations

        The following table summarizes Abbott's estimated contractual obligations as of December 31, 2009: (dollars in millions)

 
   Payment Due By Period  
 
   Total   2010   2011–2012   2013–2014   2015 and
Thereafter 		 

Long-term debt, including current maturities and future interest payments

   $ 18,008   $ 816   $ 4,162   $ 1,743   $ 11,287  

Operating lease obligations

     484     99     152     101     132  

Capitalized auto lease obligations

     84     28     56     —     —  

Purchase commitments (a)

     3,307     3,118     159     23     7  

Other long-term liabilities reflected on the consolidated balance sheet —

                                
 

Benefit plan obligations

     2,981     —     479     420     2,082  
 

Other

     2,165     —     1,417     229     519  
                       

Total

   $ 27,029   $ 4,061   $ 6,425   $ 2,516   $ 14,027  
                       
(a)
Purchase commitments are for purchases made in the normal course of business to meet operational and capital expenditure requirements.

38

Contingent Obligations

        Abbott has periodically entered into agreements in the ordinary course of business, such as assignment of product rights, with other companies which has resulted in Abbott becoming secondarily liable for obligations that Abbott was previously primarily liable. Since Abbott no longer maintains a business relationship with the other parties, Abbott is unable to develop an estimate of the maximum potential amount of future payments, if any, under these obligations. Based upon past experience, the likelihood of payments under these agreements is remote. In addition, Abbott periodically acquires a business or product rights in which Abbott agrees to pay contingent consideration based on attaining certain thresholds or based on the occurrence of certain events. In connection with the acquisition of Guidant's vascular intervention and endovascular solutions businesses, Abbott paid $250 million to Boston Scientific in January 2010 upon government approval to market the Xience V drug-eluting stent in Japan. In addition, Abbott has retained liabilities for taxes on income prior to the spin-off of Hospira and certain potential liabilities, if any, related to alleged improper pricing practices in connection with federal, state and private reimbursement for certain drugs.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

        In 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, "Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)," as codified in FASB ASC No. 810, "Consolidation." FASB ASC No. 810 provides consolidation guidance relating to variable interest entities. These provisions are effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. Adoption of these provisions is not expected to have a material effect on the results of operations or financial position of Abbott.

Legislative Issues

        Abbott's primary markets are highly competitive and subject to substantial government regulation throughout the world. Abbott expects debate to continue over the availability, method of delivery, and payment for health care products and services. Abbott believes that if legislation is enacted, it could change access to health care products and services, increase rebates, reduce prices or the rate of price increases for health care products and services, create new fees for the pharmaceutical and medical device industries or require additional reporting and disclosure. It is not possible to predict the extent to which Abbott or the health care industry in general might be adversely affected by these factors in the future. A more complete discussion of these factors is contained in Item 1, Business, and Item 1A, Risk Factors, to the Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 — A Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

        Under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Abbott cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by Abbott, including those made in this document, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect Abbott's operations are discussed in Item 1A, Risk Factors, to the Annual Report on Form 10-K.

39

ITEM 7A.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Financial Instruments and Risk Management

Investment in Boston Scientific Note Receivable

        At December 31, 2009 and 2008, Abbott has a $900 million loan to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Boston Scientific which is payable to Abbott in April 2011 and, as such, is subject to credit risk.

Other Market Price Sensitive Investments

        Abbott holds available-for-sale equity securities from strategic technology acquisitions. The market value of these investments was approximately $75 million and $105 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2009 and 2008. Abbott monitors these investments for other than temporary declines in market value, and charges impairment losses to income when an other than temporary decline in value occurs. A hypothetical 20 percent decrease in the share prices of these investments would decrease their fair value at December 31, 2009 by approximately $15 million. (A 20 percent decrease is believed to be a reasonably possible near-term change in share prices.)

Non-Publicly Traded Equity Securities

        Abbott holds equity securities from strategic technology acquisitions that are not traded on public stock exchanges. The carrying value of these investments was approximately $78 million and $42 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. No individual investment is in excess of $18 million. Abbott monitors these investments for other than temporary declines in market value, and charges impairment losses to income when an other than temporary decline in estimated value occurs.

Interest Rate Sensitive Financial Instruments

        At December 31, 2009 and 2008, Abbott had interest rate hedge contracts totaling $5.5 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively, to manage its exposure to changes in the fair value of debt due in 2011 through 2019. The effect of these hedges is to change the fixed interest rate to a variable rate. Abbott does not use derivative financial instruments, such as interest rate swaps, to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates for its investment securities. At December 31, 2009, Abbott had $2.9 billion of domestic commercial paper outstanding with an average annual interest rate of 0.1% with an average remaining life of 22 days. The fair value of long-term debt at December 31, 2009 and 2008 amounted to $12.3 billion and $10.5 billion, respectively (average interest rates of 5.3% and 5.2%, respectively) with maturities through 2039. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the fair value of current and long-term investment securities amounted to $2.1 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively. A hypothetical 100-basis point change in the interest rates would not have a material effect on cash flows, income or market values. (A 100-basis point change is believed to be a reasonably possible near-term change in rates.)

Foreign Currency Sensitive Financial Instruments

        Abbott enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage its exposure to foreign currency denominated intercompany loans and trade payables and third-party trade payables and receivables. The contracts are marked-to-market, and resulting gains or losses are reflected in income and are generally offset by losses or gains on the foreign currency exposure being managed. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, Abbott held $7.5 billion and $8.3 billion, respectively, of such contracts, which mature in the next twelve months.

        In addition, certain Abbott foreign subsidiaries enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage exposures to changes in foreign exchange rates for anticipated intercompany purchases by those subsidiaries whose functional currencies are not the U.S. dollar. These contracts are designated as cash flow hedges of the variability of the cash flows due to changes in foreign currency

40


exchange rates and are marked-to-market with the resulting gains or losses reflected in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Gains or losses will be included in Cost of products sold at the time the products are sold, generally within the next twelve months. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, Abbott held $2.0 billion and $129 million, respectively, of such contracts, which all mature in the following calendar year.

        Abbott has designated foreign denominated short-term debt of approximately $575 million and approximately $585 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, as a hedge of the net investment in certain foreign subsidiaries. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of this debt due to changes in exchange rates are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax.

        The following table reflects the total foreign currency forward contracts outstanding at December 31, 2009 and 2008: (dollars in millions)

 
   2009   2008  
 
   Contract
Amount 		  Average
Exchange
Rate 		  Fair and
Carrying Value
Receivable/
(Payable) 		  Contract
Amount 		  Average
Exchange
Rate 		  Fair and
Carrying Value
Receivable/
(Payable) 		 
Receive primarily U.S. Dollars
in exchange for
the following currencies:		                                      
Euro   $ 4,045     1.482   $ (20 ) $ 3,963     1.286   $ 3  
British Pound     1,246     1.658     (2 )   1,208     1.553     (31 )
Japanese Yen     2,057     89.8     (46 )   1,788     99.6     54  
Canadian Dollar     448     1.064     (4 )   163     1.240     3  
All other currencies     1,714     N/A     (11 )   1,254     N/A     19  
                               
Total   $ 9,510         $ (83 ) $ 8,376         $ 48  
                               

41

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42

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 
   Page  
 

Consolidated Statement of Earnings

     44  
 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

     45  
 

Consolidated Balance Sheet

     46  
 

Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Investment

     48  
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     49  
 

Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

     75  
 

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     76  

43


Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Earnings
(dollars and shares in thousands except per share data)

 
   Year Ended December 31  
 
   2009   2008   2007  

Net Sales

   $ 30,764,707   $ 29,527,552   $ 25,914,238  
               

Cost of products sold

     13,209,329     12,612,022     11,422,046  

Research and development

     2,743,733     2,688,811     2,505,649  

Acquired in-process research and development

     170,000     97,256     —  

Selling, general and administrative

     8,405,904     8,435,624     7,407,998  
               

Total Operating Cost and Expenses

     24,528,966     23,833,713     21,335,693  
               

Operating Earnings

     6,235,741     5,693,839     4,578,545  

Interest expense

     519,656     528,474     593,142  

Interest (income)

     (137,779 )   (201,229 )   (136,752 )

(Income) from the TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. joint venture

     —     (118,997 )   (498,016 )

Net foreign exchange (gain) loss

     35,584     84,244     14,997  

Other (income) expense, net

     (1,375,494 )   (454,939 )   135,526  
               

Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Taxes

     7,193,774     5,856,286     4,469,648  

Taxes on Earnings from Continuing Operations

     1,447,936     1,122,070     863,334  
               

Earnings from Continuing Operations

     5,745,838     4,734,216     3,606,314  

Gain on Sale of Discontinued Operations, net of taxes

     —     146,503     —  
               

Net Earnings

   $ 5,745,838   $ 4,880,719   $ 3,606,314  
               

Basic Earnings Per Common Share —

                    
 

Continuing Operations

   $ 3.71   $ 3.06   $ 2.34  
 

Gain on Sale of Discontinued Operations, net of taxes

     —     0.10     —  
               
 

Net Earnings

   $ 3.71   $ 3.16   $ 2.34  
               

Diluted Earnings Per Common Share —

                    
 

Continuing Operations

   $ 3.69   $ 3.03   $ 2.31  
 

Gain on Sale of Discontinued Operations, net of taxes

     —     0.09     —  
               
 

Net Earnings

   $ 3.69   $ 3.12   $ 2.31  
               

Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding Used for Basic Earnings Per Common Share

     1,546,983     1,545,355     1,543,082  

Dilutive Common Stock Options and Awards

     8,143     15,398     16,975  
               

Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding Plus Dilutive Common Stock Options and Awards

     1,555,126     1,560,753     1,560,057  
               

Outstanding Common Stock Options Having No Dilutive Effect

     66,189     30,579     6,406  
               

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

44


Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(dollars in thousands)

 
   Year Ended December 31  
 
   2009   2008   2007  

Cash Flow From (Used in) Operating Activities of Continuing Operations:

                    

Net earnings

   $ 5,745,838   $ 4,880,719   $ 3,606,314  

Less: Gain on sale of discontinued operations

     —     146,503     —  
               

Earnings from continuing operations

     5,745,838     4,734,216     3,606,314  

Adjustments to reconcile earnings from continuing operations to net cash from operating activities of continuing operations —

                    

Depreciation

     1,210,977     1,051,728     1,072,855  

Amortization of intangible assets

     878,533     787,101     782,031  

Derecognition of a contingent liability associated with the conclusion of the TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. joint venture

     (797,130 )   —     —  

Share-based compensation

     366,357     347,015     429,677  

Gain on dissolution of the TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. joint venture

     —     (94,248 )   —  

Acquired in-process research and development

     170,000     97,256     —  

Investing and financing (gains) losses, net

     41,967     111,238     356,331  

Trade receivables

     (387,749 )   (948,314 )   (431,846 )

Inventories

     230,555     (257,476 )   131,324  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     (386,889 )   436,218     (418,344 )

Trade accounts payable and other liabilities

     (374,715 )   569,056     (82,960 )

Income taxes

     577,416     160,830     (261,539 )
               

Net Cash From Operating Activities of Continuing Operations

     7,275,160     6,994,620     5,183,843  
               

Cash Flow From (Used in) Investing Activities of Continuing Operations:

                    

Acquisitions of businesses and technologies, net of cash acquired

     (2,370,630 )   (250,000 )   —  

Acquisitions of property and equipment

     (1,089,048 )   (1,287,724 )   (1,656,207 )

Sales of Boston Scientific common stock

     —     318,645     568,437  

Purchases of investment securities

     (248,970 )   (923,937 )   (32,852 )

Proceeds from sales of investment securities

     16,306     130,586     17,830  

Other

     (6,368 )   (75,061 )   (33,485 )
               

Net Cash (Used in) Investing Activities of Continuing Operations

     (3,698,710 )   (2,087,491 )   (1,136,277 )
               

Cash Flow From (Used in) Financing Activities of Continuing Operations:

                    

Proceeds from issuance of (repayments of) short-term debt and other

     3,217,331     (324,739 )   (3,603,481 )

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     3,000,000     —     3,500,000  

Repayments of long-term debt

     (2,483,176 )   (913,948 )   (441,012 )

Purchases of common shares

     (826,345 )   (1,081,806 )   (1,058,793 )

Proceeds from stock options exercised, including income tax benefit

     508,669     1,008,843     1,249,804  

Dividends paid

     (2,414,460 )   (2,174,252 )   (1,959,150 )
               

Net Cash From (Used in) Financing Activities of Continuing Operations

     1,002,019     (3,485,902 )   (2,312,632 )
               

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     118,848     (115,160 )   200,258  
               

Net cash provided from the sale of discontinued operations

     —     349,571     —  
               

Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents

     4,697,317     1,655,638     1,935,192  

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year

     4,112,022     2,456,384     521,192  
               

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year

   $ 8,809,339   $ 4,112,022   $ 2,456,384  
               

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

45


Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheet
(dollars in thousands)

 
   December 31  
 
   2009   2008   2007  

Assets

                    

Current Assets:

                    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 8,809,339   $ 4,112,022   $ 2,456,384  

Investments, including $307,500 of investments measured at fair value at December 31, 2007

     1,122,709     967,603     364,443  

Trade receivables, less allowances of — 2009: $311,546; 2008: $263,632; 2007: $258,288

     6,541,941     5,465,660     4,946,876  

Inventories:

                    
 

Finished products

     2,289,280     1,545,950     1,677,083  
 

Work in process

     448,487     698,140     681,634  
 

Materials

     527,110     531,759     592,725  
               
   

Total inventories

     3,264,877     2,775,849     2,951,442  

Deferred income taxes

     2,364,142     2,462,871     2,109,872  

Other prepaid expenses and receivables

     1,210,883     1,258,554     1,213,716  
               
   

Total Current Assets

     23,313,891     17,042,559     14,042,733  
               

Investments

     1,132,866     1,073,736     1,125,262  
               

Property and Equipment, at Cost:

                    

Land

     546,204     509,606     494,021  

Buildings

     4,010,439     3,698,861     3,589,050  

Equipment

     11,325,450     10,366,267     10,393,402  

Construction in progress

     604,813     613,939     1,121,328  
               

    16,486,906     15,188,673     15,597,801  

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

     8,867,417     7,969,507     8,079,652  
               

Net Property and Equipment

     7,619,489     7,219,166     7,518,149  
               

Intangible Assets, net of amortization

     6,291,989     5,151,106     5,720,478  

Goodwill

     13,200,174     9,987,361     10,128,841  

Deferred Income Taxes and Other Assets

     858,214     1,945,276     1,178,461  
               

  $ 52,416,623   $ 42,419,204   $ 39,713,924  
               

46


Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheet
(dollars in thousands)

 
   December 31  
 
   2009   2008   2007  

Liabilities and Shareholders' Investment

                    

Current Liabilities:

                    

Short-term borrowings

   $ 4,978,438   $ 1,691,069   $ 1,827,361  

Trade accounts payable

     1,280,542     1,351,436     1,219,529  

Salaries, wages and commissions

     1,117,410     1,011,312     859,784  

Other accrued liabilities

     4,363,032     4,216,742     3,713,104  

Dividends payable

     620,640     559,064     504,540  

Income taxes payable

     442,140     805,397     80,406  

Obligation in connection with conclusion of the TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. joint venture

     36,105     915,982     —  

Current portion of long-term debt

     211,182     1,040,906     898,554  
               

Total Current Liabilities

     13,049,489     11,591,908     9,103,278  
               

Long-term Debt

     11,266,294     8,713,327     9,487,789  
               

Post-employment Obligations and Other Long-term Liabilities

     5,202,111     4,595,278     3,298,912  
               

Commitments and Contingencies

                    

Shareholders' Investment:

                    

Preferred shares, one dollar par value
Authorized — 1,000,000 shares, none issued

     —     —     —  

Common shares, without par value
Authorized — 2,400,000,000 shares
Issued at stated capital amount —
Shares: 2009: 1,612,683,987; 2008: 1,601,580,899;
2007: 1,580,854,677

     8,257,873     7,444,411     6,104,102  

Common shares held in treasury, at cost —
Shares: 2009: 61,516,398; 2008: 49,147,968;
2007: 30,944,537

     (3,310,347 )   (2,626,404 )   (1,213,134 )

Earnings employed in the business

     17,054,027     13,825,383     10,805,809  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     854,074     (1,163,839 )   2,081,763  
               

Total Abbott Shareholders' Investment

     22,855,627     17,479,551     17,778,540  

Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries

     43,102     39,140     45,405  
               

Total Shareholders' Investment

     22,898,729     17,518,691     17,823,945  
               

  $ 52,416,623   $ 42,419,204   $ 39,713,924  
               

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

47


Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Investment
(dollars in thousands except per share data)

 
   Year Ended December 31  
 
   2009   2008   2007  

Common Shares:

                    

Beginning of Year Shares: 2009: 1,601,580,899; 2008: 1,580,854,677; 2007: 1,550,590,438

   $ 7,444,411   $ 6,104,102   $ 4,290,929  

Issued under incentive stock programs
Shares: 2009: 11,103,088; 2008: 20,726,222; 2007: 30,264,239

     530,373     1,001,507     1,316,294  

Tax benefit from option shares and vesting of restricted stock awards (no share effect)

     15,351     64,714     163,808  

Share-based compensation

     366,128     342,315     433,319  

Issuance of restricted stock awards

     (98,390 )   (68,227 )   (100,248 )
               

End of Year
Shares 2009: 1,612,683,987; 2008: 1,601,580,899; 2007: 1,580,854,677

   $ 8,257,873   $ 7,444,411   $ 6,104,102  
               

Common Shares Held in Treasury:

                    

Beginning of Year
Shares: 2009: 49,147,968; 2008: 30,944,537; 2007: 13,347,272

   $ (2,626,404 ) $ (1,213,134 ) $ (195,237 )

Private transaction
Shares purchased: 15,176,500;
Shares issued: 14,870,195

     —     (378,931 )   —  

Issued under incentive stock programs
Shares: 2009: 2,477,853; 2008: 1,607,326; 2007: 2,063,123

     133,042     40,946     37,080  

Purchased
Shares: 2009: 14,846,283; 2008: 19,504,452; 2007: 19,660,388

     (816,985 )   (1,075,285 )   (1,054,977 )
               

End of Year
Shares: 2009: 61,516,398; 2008: 49,147,968; 2007: 30,944,537

   $ (3,310,347 ) $ (2,626,404 ) $ (1,213,134 )
               

Earnings Employed in the Business:

                    

Beginning of Year

   $ 13,825,383   $ 10,805,809   $ 9,568,728  

Net earnings

     5,745,838     4,880,719     3,606,314  

Cash dividends declared on common shares (per share — 2009: $1.60; 2008: $1.44; 2007: $1.30)

     (2,476,036 )   (2,228,776 )   (2,009,696 )

Reclassification resulting from the application of the fair value option to Boston Scientific common stock, net of tax

     —     —     (188,534 )

Cost of common shares retired in excess of stated capital amount

     (25,040 )   (70,590 )   (237,958 )

Cost of treasury shares issued (above) below market value

     (16,118 )   438,221     66,955  
               

End of Year

   $ 17,054,027   $ 13,825,383   $ 10,805,809  
               

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):

                    

Beginning of Year

   $ (1,163,839 ) $ 2,081,763   $ 389,766  

Reclassification resulting from the application of the fair value option to Boston Scientific common stock, net of tax

     —     —     181,834  

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     2,017,913     (3,245,602 )   1,510,163  
               

End of Year

   $ 854,074   $ (1,163,839 ) $ 2,081,763  
               

Comprehensive Income

   $ 7,763,751   $ 1,635,117   $ 5,116,477  
               

Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries:

                    

Beginning of Year

   $ 39,140   $ 45,405   $ 43,945  

Noncontrolling Interests' share of income, net of distributions and share repurchases

     3,962     (6,265 )   1,460  
               

End of Year

   $ 43,102   $ 39,140   $ 45,405  
               

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

48


Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

        NATURE OF BUSINESS — Abbott's principal business is the discovery, development, manufacture and sale of a broad line of health care products.

        CONCENTRATION OF RISK AND GUARANTEES — Due to the nature of its operations, Abbott is not subject to significant concentration risks relating to customers, products or geographic locations, except that three U.S. wholesalers accounted for 23 percent, 27 percent and 25 percent of trade receivables as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Product warranties are not significant.

        Abbott has no material exposures to off-balance sheet arrangements; no special purpose entities; nor activities that include non-exchange-traded contracts accounted for at fair value. Abbott has periodically entered into agreements in the ordinary course of business, such as assignment of product rights, with other companies which has resulted in Abbott becoming secondarily liable for obligations that Abbott was previously primarily liable. Since Abbott no longer maintains a business relationship with the other parties, Abbott is unable to develop an estimate of the maximum potential amount of future payments, if any, under these obligations. Based upon past experience, the likelihood of payments under these agreements is remote. Abbott periodically acquires a business or product rights in which Abbott agrees to pay contingent consideration based on attaining certain thresholds or based on the occurrence of certain events. In connection with the spin-off of Hospira, Inc., Abbott has retained liabilities for taxes on income prior to the spin-off and certain potential liabilities, if any, related to alleged improper pricing practices in connection with federal, state and private reimbursement for certain drugs.

        BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the parent company and subsidiaries, after elimination of intercompany transactions. The accounts of foreign subsidiaries are consolidated as of November 30, due to the time needed to consolidate these subsidiaries. In December 2009, a foreign subsidiary acquired certain technology that was accounted for as acquired in-process research and development. This transaction was recorded in 2009 due to the significance of the amount. No other events occurred related to these foreign subsidiaries in December 2009, 2008 and 2007 that materially affected the financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

        Events that occurred after December 31, 2009 through the date that these financial statements have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission were considered in the preparation of these financial statements.

        Effective January 1, 2009, Abbott adopted SFAS No. 160, "Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB No. 51," as codified in FASB ASC No. 810, "Consolidation" and accordingly, noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries are presented as a component of total equity as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.

        USE OF ESTIMATES — The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States and necessarily include amounts based on estimates and assumptions by management. Actual results could differ from those amounts. Significant estimates include amounts for sales rebates, income taxes, pension and other post-employment benefits, valuation of intangible assets, litigation, share-based compensation, derivative financial instruments, and inventory and accounts receivable exposures.

        REVENUE RECOGNITION — Revenue from product sales is recognized upon passage of title and risk of loss to customers. Provisions for discounts, rebates and sales incentives to customers, and returns and other adjustments are provided for in the period the related sales are recorded. Sales incentives to customers are not material. Historical data is readily available and reliable, and is used for estimating the

49

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)


amount of the reduction in gross sales. Revenue from the launch of a new product, from an improved version of an existing product, or for shipments in excess of a customer's normal requirements are recorded when the conditions noted above are met. In those situations, management records a returns reserve for such revenue, if necessary. Sales of product rights for marketable products are recorded as revenue upon disposition of the rights. Revenue from license of product rights, or for performance of research or selling activities, is recorded over the periods earned.

        INCOME TAXES — Deferred income taxes are provided for the tax effect of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements at the enacted statutory rate to be in effect when the taxes are paid. U.S. income taxes are provided on those earnings of foreign subsidiaries which are intended to be remitted to the parent company. Deferred income taxes are not provided on undistributed earnings reinvested indefinitely in foreign subsidiaries as working capital and plant and equipment. Interest and penalties on income tax obligations are included in taxes on income.

        EARNINGS PER SHARE — Effective January 1, 2009, Abbott adopted FSP EITF 03-6-1, "Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities," as codified in FASB ASC No. 260, "Earnings Per Share," which requires that unvested restricted stock units that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends be treated as participating securities and be included in the computation of earnings per share under the two-class method. Under the two-class method, net earnings are allocated between common shares and participating securities. Net earnings allocated to common shares for 2009 were $5.733 billion. Net earnings allocated to common shares in 2008 and 2007 were not significantly different than net earnings.

        PENSION AND POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS — Abbott accrues for the actuarially determined cost of pension and post-employment benefits over the service attribution periods of the employees. Abbott must develop long-term assumptions, the most significant of which are the health care cost trend rates, discount rates and the expected return on plan assets. Differences between the expected long-term return on plan assets and the actual return are amortized over a five-year period. Actuarial losses and gains are amortized over the remaining service attribution periods of the employees under the corridor method.

        FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS — For assets and liabilities that are measured using quoted prices in active markets, total fair value is the published market price per unit multiplied by the number of units held without consideration of transaction costs. Assets and liabilities that are measured using significant other observable inputs are valued by reference to similar assets or liabilities, adjusted for contract restrictions and other terms specific to that asset or liability. For these items, a significant portion of fair value is derived by reference to quoted prices of similar assets or liabilities in active markets. For all remaining assets and liabilities, fair value is derived using a fair value model, such as a discounted cash flow model or Black-Scholes model. Purchased intangible assets are recorded at fair value. The fair value of significant purchased intangible assets is based on independent appraisals. Abbott uses a discounted cash flow model to value intangible assets. The discounted cash flow model requires assumptions about the timing and amount of future net cash flows, risk, the cost of capital, terminal values and market participants. Intangible assets, and goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment at least on a quarterly and annual basis, respectively.

        SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION — The value of stock options and restricted stock awards and units are amortized over their service period, which could be shorter than the vesting period if an employee is retirement eligible, with a charge to compensation expense.

        LITIGATION — Abbott accounts for litigation losses in accordance with FASB ASC No. 450, "Contingencies." Under ASC No. 450, loss contingency provisions are recorded for probable losses at

50

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)


management's best estimate of a loss, or when a best estimate cannot be made, a minimum loss contingency amount is recorded.

        CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS — Cash equivalents consist of time deposits and certificates of deposit with original maturities of three months or less. Except for Abbott's investment in the common stock of Boston Scientific, investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value with any unrealized holding gains or losses, net of tax, included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Beginning on January 1, 2007, the investment in the common stock of Boston Scientific was accounted for as a trading security with changes in fair value recorded in income. Investments in equity securities that are not traded on public stock exchanges are recorded at cost. Investments in debt securities are classified as held-to-maturity, as management has both the intent and ability to hold these securities to maturity, and are reported at cost, net of any unamortized premium or discount. Income relating to these securities is reported as interest income.

        Abbott reviews the carrying value of investments each quarter to determine whether an other than temporary decline in market value exists. Abbott considers factors affecting the investee, factors affecting the industry the investee operates in and general equity market trends. Abbott considers the length of time an investment's market value has been below carrying value and the near-term prospects for recovery to carrying value. When Abbott determines that an other than temporary decline has occurred, the investment is written down with a charge to Other (income) expense, net.

        INVENTORIES — Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or market. Cost includes material and conversion costs.

        PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT — Depreciation and amortization are provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The following table shows estimated useful lives of property and equipment:

Classification
  Estimated Useful Lives

Buildings

   10 to 50 years (average 27 years)

Equipment

   3 to 20 years (average 11 years)

        PRODUCT LIABILITY — Abbott accrues for product liability claims, on an undiscounted basis, when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated based on existing information. The liabilities are adjusted quarterly as additional information becomes available. Receivables for insurance recoveries for product liability claims are recorded as assets, on an undiscounted basis, when it is probable that a recovery will be realized. Prior to 2009, Abbott carried third-party insurance coverage in amounts that reflect historical loss experience, which did not include coverage for sizable losses. Beginning in 2009, product liability losses are self-insured.

        RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS — Internal research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Clinical trial costs incurred by third parties are expensed as the contracted work is performed. Where contingent milestone payments are due to third parties under research and development arrangements, the milestone payment obligations are expensed when the milestone results are achieved.

51

Note 2 — Supplemental Financial Information

 
   2009   2008   2007  
 
   (dollars in millions)
  

Current Investments:

                    

Time deposits and certificates of deposit

   $ 1,123   $ 968   $ 56  

Boston Scientific common stock

     —     —     308  
               
 

Total

   $ 1,123   $ 968   $ 364  
               

 
 
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
 
   (dollars in millions)
  

Long-term Investments:

                    

Equity securities

   $ 153   $ 147   $ 229  

Note receivable from Boston Scientific, 4% interest, due in 2011

     880     865     851  

Other

     100     62     45  
               
 

Total

   $ 1,133   $ 1,074   $ 1,125  
               

        The fair value option for the investment in Boston Scientific common stock was applied effective January 1, 2007. Under the fair value option, any cumulative unrealized gains or losses on an equity investment previously accounted for as an available-for-sale security is recorded as a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the date of the election to apply the fair value option. The pretax and after tax adjustment to Earnings employed in the business upon election to apply the fair value option was $297 million and $189 million, respectively, and the fair value and carrying amount of the investment before and after the election was approximately $1.0 billion. The pretax and after tax adjustment to Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) was $303 million and $182 million, respectively. The effect on deferred income taxes of applying the fair value option was not significant.

        Other (income) expense, net, for 2009 includes the derecognition of a contingent liability of $797 million associated with the conclusion of the TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. joint venture as discussed in Note 3, a $287 million gain from the settlement reached between Abbott and Medtronic, Inc. resolving all outstanding intellectual property litigation between the two parties and income from the recording of certain investments at fair value in connection with business acquisitions. Other (income) expense, net, for 2009 and 2008 also includes ongoing contractual payments from Takeda associated with the conclusion of the TAP joint venture and a gain in 2008 on the sale of an equity investment accounted for as an available-for-sale investment. In addition, Abbott recorded a gain of approximately $94 million in connection with the dissolution of the TAP joint venture in 2008. Other (income) expense, net for 2007 includes a $190 million fair market value loss adjustment to Abbott's investment in Boston Scientific common stock and a realized gain of $37 million on the sales of Boston Scientific common stock.

 
   2009   2008   2007  
 
   (dollars in millions)
  

Other Accrued Liabilities:

                    

Accrued rebates payable to government agencies

   $ 641   $ 577   $ 662  

Accrued other rebates (a)

     668     455     444  

All other

     3,054     3,185     2,607  
               
 

Total

   $ 4,363   $ 4,217   $ 3,713  
               

52

Note 2 — Supplemental Financial Information (Continued)

(a)
Accrued wholesaler chargeback rebates of $217, $210 and $157 at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, are netted in trade receivables because Abbott's customers are invoiced at a higher catalog price but only remit to Abbott their contract price for the products.

 
   2009   2008   2007  
 
   (dollars in millions)
  

Post-employment Obligations and Other Long-term Liabilities:

                    

Defined benefit pension plans and post-employment medical and dental plans for significant plans

   $ 2,394   $ 2,713   $ 1,872  

All other

     2,808     1,882     1,427  
               
 

Total

   $ 5,202   $ 4,595   $ 3,299  
               

 
 
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
 
   (dollars in millions)
  

Comprehensive Income, net of tax:

                    

Foreign currency gain (loss) translation adjustments

   $ 2,295   $ (2,208 ) $ 1,153  

Net actuarial (losses) and prior service cost and credits and amortization of net actuarial losses and prior service cost and credits, net of taxes of $8 in 2009, $638 in 2008 and $(226) in 2007

     (260 )   (987 )   343  

Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable equity securities, net of taxes of $(4) in 2009, $28 in 2008 and $(31) in 2007

     7     (49 )   54  

Net adjustments for derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges

     (24 )   (2 )   (40 )
               

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     2,018     (3,246 )   1,510  

Net Earnings

     5,746     4,881     3,606  
               

Comprehensive Income

   $ 7,764   $ 1,635   $ 5,116  
               

 
 
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
 
   (dollars in millions)
  

Supplemental Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Information, net of tax:

                    

Cumulative foreign currency translation (gain) adjustments

   $ (3,035 ) $ (740 ) $ (2,948 )

Net actuarial losses and prior service cost and credits

     2,161     1,901     914  

Cumulative unrealized (gains) on marketable equity securities

     (24 )   (17 )   (66 )

Cumulative losses on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges

     44     20     18  

 
 
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
 
   (dollars in millions)
  

Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

                    

Income taxes paid

   $ 635   $ 772   $ 952  

Interest paid

     514     561     564  

        For the acquired Lupron business in 2008, as discussed in Note 3, Abbott recorded intangible assets, primarily Lupron product rights, of approximately $700 million, goodwill of approximately $350 million and deferred tax liabilities related to the intangible assets of approximately $260 million. Abbott also recorded a liability of approximately $1.1 billion relating to an agreement to remit cash to Takeda if certain research and development events are not achieved on the development assets retained by Takeda. Related deferred tax assets of approximately $410 million were also recorded. The sale of Abbott's equity interest

53

Note 2 — Supplemental Financial Information (Continued)


in TAP resulted in the recording of net assets related to the Lupron business, primarily cash, receivables, inventory and other assets, net of accounts payable and other accrued liabilities, offset by a credit to Abbott's investment in TAP in the amount of approximately $280 million.

Note 3 — Conclusion of TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. Joint Venture and Sale of Abbott's Spine Business

        On April 30, 2008, Abbott and Takeda concluded their TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. (TAP) joint venture, evenly splitting the value and assets of the joint venture. Abbott exchanged its 50 percent equity interest in TAP for the assets, liabilities and employees related to TAP's Lupron business. Subsequent to the conclusion of the joint venture, TAP was merged into two Takeda entities. The exchange of Abbott's investment in TAP for TAP's Lupron business resulted in a gain at closing of approximately $94 million. The Internal Revenue Service has issued a private letter ruling that the transaction qualifies as tax-free for U.S. income tax purposes.

        Beginning on May 1, 2008, Abbott began recording U.S. Lupron net sales and costs in its operating results and no longer records income from the TAP joint venture. TAP's sales of Lupron were $182 million for the four months ended April 30, 2008 and $645 million in 2007. Abbott also receives payments based on specified development, approval and commercial events being achieved with respect to products retained by Takeda and payments from Takeda based on sales of products retained by Takeda, which are recorded by Abbott as Other (income) expense, net as earned.

        The exchange transaction was accounted for as a sale of Abbott's equity interest in TAP and as an acquisition of TAP's Lupron business. The sale of Abbott's equity interest in TAP resulted in the recording of net assets related to the Lupron business, primarily cash, receivables, inventory and other assets, net of accounts payable and other accrued liabilities, offset by a credit to Abbott's investment in TAP in the amount of approximately $280 million.

        For the acquired Lupron business, Abbott recorded intangible assets, primarily Lupron product rights, of approximately $700 million, goodwill of approximately $350 million and deferred tax liabilities related primarily to the intangible assets of approximately $260 million. The intangible assets are being amortized over 15 years. Abbott has also agreed to remit cash to Takeda if certain research and development events are not achieved on the development assets retained by Takeda. These amounts were recorded as a liability at closing in the amount of approximately $1.1 billion. Related deferred tax assets of approximately $410 million were also recorded. Of the $1.1 billion, Abbott made tax-deductible payments of $83 million and $200 million in 2009 and 2008, respectively, and Abbott will make a tax-deductible payment of approximately $36 million in 2010. In 2009, events occurred resulting in the remaining payments not being required and the remaining liability in the amount of $797 million was derecognized and recorded as income in Other (income) expense, net.

        The 50 percent-owned joint venture was accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Summarized financial information for TAP follows below. The results for 2008 include results through April 30. (dollars in millions)

 
   Year Ended December 31  
 
   2008   2007  

Net sales

   $ 853   $ 3,002  

Cost of sales

     229     720  

Income before taxes

     356     1,564  

Net income

     238     996  

54

Note 3 — Conclusion of TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. Joint Venture and Sale of Abbott's Spine Business (Continued)

        In the fourth quarter of 2008, Abbott sold its spine business for approximately $360 million in cash, resulting in an after-tax gain of approximately $147 million which is presented as Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes, in the accompanying statement of income. The operations and financial position of the spine business are not presented as discontinued operations because the effects would not be significant.

Note 4 — Financial Instruments, Derivatives and Fair Value Measures

        Certain Abbott foreign subsidiaries enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage exposures to changes in foreign exchange rates for anticipated intercompany purchases by those subsidiaries whose functional currencies are not the U.S. dollar. These contracts, totaling $2.0 billion, $129 million and $281 million at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, are designated as cash flow hedges of the variability of the cash flows due to changes in foreign exchange rates and are recorded at fair value. Accumulated gains and losses as of December 31, 2009 will be included in Cost of products sold at the time the products are sold, generally through the next twelve months.

        Abbott enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage currency exposures for foreign currency denominated third-party trade payables and receivables, and for intercompany loans and trade accounts payable where the receivable or payable is denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity. For intercompany loans, the contracts require Abbott to sell or buy foreign currencies, primarily European currencies and Japanese yen, in exchange for primarily U.S. dollars and other European currencies. For intercompany and trade payables and receivables, the currency exposures are primarily the U.S. dollar, European currencies and Japanese yen. At December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, Abbott held $7.5 billion, $8.3 billion and $5.5 billion, respectively, of such foreign currency forward exchange contracts.

        Abbott has designated foreign denominated short-term debt as a hedge of the net investment in certain foreign subsidiaries of approximately $575 million, $585 million and $1.7 billion as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of this debt due to changes in exchange rates are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax.

        Abbott is a party to interest rate hedge contracts totaling $5.5 billion, $2.5 billion and $1.5 billion at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, to manage its exposure to changes in the fair value of fixed-rate debt due 2011 through 2019. These contracts are designated as fair value hedges of the variability of the fair value of fixed-rate debt due to changes in the long-term benchmark interest rates. The effect of the hedge is to change a fixed-rate interest obligation to a variable rate for that portion of the debt. Abbott records the contracts at fair value and adjusts the carrying amount of the fixed-rate debt by an offsetting amount. No hedge ineffectiveness was recorded in income in 2009, 2008 and 2007 for these hedges.

        Gross unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale equity securities totaled $42 million and $(3) million, respectively, at December 31, 2009; $55 million and $(23) million, respectively, at December 31, 2008 and $108 million and $(3) million, respectively, at December 31, 2007.

55

Note 4 — Financial Instruments, Derivatives and Fair Value Measures (Continued)

        The following table summarizes the amounts and location of certain derivative financial instruments as of December 31:

 
   Fair Value — Assets   Fair Value — Liabilities
 
   2009   2008   2007   Balance Sheet Caption   2009   2008   2007   Balance Sheet Caption
 
   (dollars in millions)

Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges

   $ 80   $ 170   $ —   Deferred income taxes and other assets   $ 218   $ —   $ 25   Post-employment obligations and other long-term liabilities

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts —

                                            
 

Hedging instruments

     —     —     —   Other prepaid     27     7     2   Other accrued
 

Others not designated as hedges

     31     148     24   expenses and receivables     87     93     43   liabilities

Debt designated as a hedge of net investment in certain foreign subsidiaries

     —     —     —   n/a     575     585     1,658   Short-term borrowings
                                 

  $ 111   $ 318   $ 24       $ 907   $ 685   $ 1,728    
                                 

        The following table summarizes the activity for foreign currency forward exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges, debt designated as a hedge of net investment in certain foreign subsidiaries and the amounts and location of income (expense) and gain (loss) reclassified into income and for certain other derivative financial instruments. The amount of hedge ineffectiveness was not significant in 2009, 2008 and 2007 for these hedges.

 
   Gain (loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (loss)   Income (expense) and Gain (loss) Reclassified into Income    
 
   2009   2008   2007   2009   2008   2007   Income Statement Caption
 
   (dollars in millions)
    

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges

   $ (65 ) $ (7 ) $ (5 ) $ (64 ) $ (8 ) $ —   Cost of products sold

Debt designated as a hedge of net investment in certain foreign subsidiaries

     15     (212 )   (114 )   —     —     —   n/a

Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges

     n/a     n/a     n/a     (309 )   195     60   Interest expense

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts not designated as hedges

     n/a     n/a     n/a     (106 )   292     48   Net foreign exchange (gain) loss

        The interest rate swaps are designated as fair value hedges of the variability of the fair value of fixed-rate debt due to changes in the long-term benchmark interest rates. The hedged debt is marked to market, offsetting the effect of marking the interest rate swaps to market.

        The carrying values and fair values of certain financial instruments as of December 31 are shown in the table below. The carrying values of all other financial instruments approximate their estimated fair

56

Note 4 — Financial Instruments, Derivatives and Fair Value Measures (Continued)


values. The counterparties to financial instruments consist of select major international financial institutions. Abbott does not expect any losses from nonperformance by these counterparties.

 
   2009   2008   2007  
 
   Carrying
Value 		  Fair
Value 		  Carrying
Value 		  Fair
Value 		  Carrying
Value 		  Fair
Value 		 
 
   (dollars in millions)
  

Long-term Investments:

                                      
 

Available-for-sale equity securities

   $ 153   $ 153   $ 147   $ 147   $ 229   $ 229  
 

Note receivable

     880     925     865     824     851     809  
 

Other

     100     79     62     56     45     40  

Total Long-term Debt

     (11,477 )   (12,304 )   (9,754 )   (10,458 )   (10,386 )   (10,593 )

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts:

                                      
 

Receivable position

     31     31     148     148     24     24  
 

(Payable) position

     (114 )   (114 )   (100 )   (100 )   (45 )   (45 )

Interest Rate Hedge Contracts:

                                      
 

Receivable position

     80     80     170     170     —     —  
 

(Payable) position

     (218 )   (218 )   —     —     (25 )   (25 )

        The following table summarizes the bases used to measure certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis in the balance sheet:

 
    
   Basis of Fair Value Measurement  
 
   Outstanding
Balances 		  Quoted
Prices in
Active Markets 		  Significant Other
Observable
Inputs 		  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs 		 
 
   (dollars in millions)
  

December 31, 2009:

                          

Equity and other securities

   $ 104   $ 75   $ —   $ 29  

Interest rate swap financial instruments

     80     —     80     —  

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

     31     —     31     —  
                   
 

Total Assets

   $ 215   $ 75   $ 111   $ 29  
                   

Fair value of hedged long-term debt

   $ 5,362   $ —   $ 5,362   $ —  

Interest rate swap financial instruments

     218     —     218     —  

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

     114     —     114     —  
                   
 

Total Liabilities

   $ 5,694   $ —   $ 5,694   $ —  
                   

December 31, 2008:

                          

Equity and other securities

   $ 144   $ 105   $ 10   $ 29  

Interest rate swap financial instruments

     170     —     170     —  

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

     148     —     148     —  
                   
 

Total Assets

   $ 462   $ 105   $ 328   $ 29  
                   

Fair value of hedged long-term debt

   $ 2,670   $ —   $ 2,670   $ —  

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

     100     —     100     —  
                   
 

Total Liabilities

   $ 2,770   $ —   $ 2,770   $ —  
                   

December 31, 2007:

                          

Trading securities

   $ 308   $ 308   $ —   $ —  

Marketable available-for-sale securities

     193     193     —     —  

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

     24     —     24     —  
                   
 

Total Assets

   $ 525   $ 501   $ 24   $ —  
                   

Fair value of hedged long-term debt

   $ 1,475   $ —   $ 1,475   $ —  

Interest rate swap financial instruments

     25     —     25     —  

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

     45     —     45     —  
                   
 

Total Liabilities

   $ 1,545   $ —   $ 1,545   $ —  
                   

        In connection with the conclusion of the TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. joint venture, Abbott received investments in 2008 that are valued using significant unobservable inputs. The recorded value of these investments has not changed significantly.

57

Note 5 — Post-Employment Benefits

        Retirement plans consist of defined benefit, defined contribution and medical and dental plans. Information for Abbott's major defined benefit plans and post-employment medical and dental benefit plans is as follows: (dollars in millions)

 
   Defined Benefit Plans   Medical and
Dental Plans 		 
 
   2009   2008   2007   2009   2008   2007  

Projected benefit obligations, January 1

   $ 5,541   $ 5,783   $ 5,614   $ 1,443   $ 1,514   $ 1,520  

Service cost — benefits earned during the year

     221     233     249     45     43     58  

Interest cost on projected benefit obligations

     368     353     316     94     92     97  

Losses (gains), primarily changes in discount rates, plan design changes, law changes and differences between actual and estimated health care costs

     747     (278 )   (309 )   175     (158 )   (100 )

Benefits paid

     (251 )   (241 )   (228 )   (58 )   (68 )   (61 )

Other, primarily foreign currency translation

     226     (309 )   141     6     20     —  
                           

Projected benefit obligations, December 31

   $ 6,852   $ 5,541   $ 5,783   $ 1,705   $ 1,443   $ 1,514  
                           

Plans' assets at fair value, January 1

   $ 3,997   $ 5,667   $ 5,086   $ 266   $ 307   $ 212  

Actual return on plans' assets

     1,096     (1,568 )   442     62     (106 )   20  

Company contributions

     862     285     283     71     133     136  

Benefits paid

     (251 )   (241 )   (228 )   (58 )   (68 )   (61 )

Other, primarily foreign currency translation

     108     (146 )   84     —     —     —  
                           

Plans' assets at fair value, December 31

   $ 5,812   $ 3,997   $ 5,667   $ 341   $ 266   $ 307  
                           

Projected benefit obligations greater than plans' assets, December 31

   $ (1,040 ) $ (1,544 ) $ (116 ) $ (1,364 ) $ (1,177 ) $ (1,207 )
                           

Long-term assets

   $ 21   $ 16   $ 576   $ —   $ —   $ —  

Short-term liabilities

     (31 )   (24 )   (27 )   —     —     —  

Long-term liabilities

     (1,030 )   (1,536 )   (665 )   (1,364 )   (1,177 )   (1,207 )
                           

Net liability

   $ (1,040 ) $ (1,544 ) $ (116 ) $ (1,364 ) $ (1,177 ) $ (1,207 )
                           

Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss):

                                      

Actuarial losses, net

   $ 2,699   $ 2,554   $ 920   $ 685   $ 587   $ 635  

Prior service cost (credits)

     34     38     40     (184 )   (206 )   (227 )
                           

Total

   $ 2,733   $ 2,592   $ 960   $ 501   $ 381   $ 408  
                           

        The projected benefit obligations for non-U.S. defined benefit plans was $2.0 billion, $1.3 billion and $1.8 billion at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The accumulated benefit obligations for all defined benefit plans was $5.8 billion, $4.7 billion and $4.9 billion at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. For plans where the accumulated benefit obligations exceeded plan assets at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the aggregate accumulated benefit obligations were $1.5 billion, $4.2 billion and

58

Note 5 — Post-Employment Benefits (Continued)


$697 million, respectively; the projected benefit obligations were $1.8 billion, $4.8 billion and $770 million, respectively; and the aggregate plan assets were $780 million, $3.3 billion and $84 million, respectively.

 
   Defined Benefit Plans   Medical and Dental Plans  
 
   2009   2008   2007   2009   2008   2007  
 
   (dollars in millions)
  

Service cost — benefits earned during the year

   $ 221   $ 233   $ 249   $ 45   $ 43   $ 58  

Interest cost on projected benefit obligations

     368     353     316     94     92     97  

Expected return on plans' assets

     (506 )   (487 )   (426 )   (24 )   (33 )   (24 )

Amortization of actuarial losses

     52     34     81     30     29     55  

Amortization of prior service cost (credits)

     4     4     4     (22 )   (21 )   (22 )
                           

Total cost

   $ 139   $ 137   $ 224   $ 123   $ 110   $ 164  
                           

        Other comprehensive income (loss) for 2009 includes amortization of actuarial losses and prior service cost of $52 million and $4 million, respectively, and net actuarial losses of $197 million for defined benefit plans and amortization of actuarial losses and prior service credits of $30 million and $22 million, respectively, and net actuarial losses of $128 million for medical and dental plans. Other comprehensive income (loss) for 2008 includes amortization of actuarial losses and prior service cost of $34 million and $4 million, respectively, and net actuarial losses of $1.6 billion for defined benefit plans and amortization of actuarial losses and prior service credits of $29 million and $21 million, respectively, and net actuarial gains of $19 million for medical and dental plans. Other comprehensive income (loss) for 2007 includes amortization of actuarial losses and prior service cost of $81 million and $4 million, respectively, and net actuarial gains of $341 million for defined benefit plans and amortization of actuarial losses and prior service credits of $55 million and $22 million, respectively, and net actuarial gains of $96 million for medical and dental plans. The pretax amount of actuarial losses and prior service cost (credits) included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2009 that is expected to be recognized in the net periodic benefit cost in 2010 is $117 million and $4 million, respectively, for defined benefit pension plans and $39 million and $(22) million, respectively, for medical and dental plans.

        The weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations for defined benefit plans and medical and dental plans are as follows:

 
   2009   2008   2007  

Discount rate

     5.8 %   6.7 %   6.2 %

Expected aggregate average long-term change in compensation

     5.2 %   4.3 %   4.2 %

        The weighted average assumptions used to determine the net cost for defined benefit plans and medical and dental plans are as follows:

 
   2009   2008   2007  

Discount rate

     6.7 %   6.2 %   5.7 %

Expected return on plan assets

     8.2 %   8.4 %   8.3 %

Expected aggregate average long-term change in compensation

     4.3 %   4.2 %   4.2 %

59

Note 5 — Post-Employment Benefits (Continued)

        The assumed health care cost trend rates for medical and dental plans at December 31 were as follows:

 
   2009   2008   2007  

Health care cost trend rate assumed for the next year

     7 %   7 %   7 %

Rate that the cost trend rate gradually declines to

     5 %   5 %   5 %

Year that rate reaches the assumed ultimate rate

     2016     2012     2012  

        The discount rates used to measure liabilities were determined based on high-quality fixed income securities that match the duration of the expected retiree benefits. The health care cost trend rates represent Abbott's expected annual rates of change in the cost of health care benefits and is a forward projection of health care costs as of the measurement date. A one-percentage point increase/(decrease) in the assumed health care cost trend rate would increase/(decrease) the accumulated post-employment benefit obligations as of December 31, 2009, by $232 million/$(189) million, and the total of the service and interest cost components of net post-employment health care cost for the year then ended by approximately $23 million/$(18) million.

        The following table summarizes the bases used to measure defined benefit plans' assets at fair value at December 31, 2009:

 
    
   Basis of Fair Value Measurement  
 
   Outstanding
Balances 		  Quoted
Prices in
Active Markets 		  Significant Other
Observable
Inputs 		  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs 		 
 
   (dollars in millions)
  

Equities:

                          
 

U.S. large cap (a)

   $ 1,267   $ 1,247   $ 20   $ —  
 

U.S. mid cap (b)

     339     105     234     —  
 

International (c)

     1,186     455     731     —  

Fixed income securities:

                          
 

U.S. government securities (d)

     753     321     430     2  
 

Corporate debt instruments (e)

     478     203     272     3  
 

Non-U.S. government securities (f)

     346     163     183     —  
 

Other (g)

     46     21     23     2  

Absolute return funds (h)

     1,296     237     536     523  

Other (i)

     101     74     27     —  
                   

  $ 5,812   $ 2,826   $ 2,456   $ 530  
                   
(a)
A mix of low-cost index funds not actively managed that track the S&P 500 (40 percent) and separate actively managed equity accounts that track the Russell 1000 (60 percent).

(b)
A mix of low-cost index funds not actively managed (75 percent) and separate actively managed equity accounts (25 percent) that track the S&P 400 midcap index.

(c)
Primarily separate actively managed pooled investment accounts that track the MSCI and MSCI emerging market indices.

(d)
Low-cost index funds not actively managed (75 percent) and separate actively managed accounts (25 percent).

60

Note 5 — Post-Employment Benefits (Continued)

(e)
Low-cost index funds not actively managed (75 percent) and separate actively managed accounts (25 percent).

(f)
Primarily United Kingdom and Irish government-issued bonds.

(g)
Primarily mortgage backed securities.

(h)
Primarily funds invested by managers that have a global mandate with the flexibility to allocate capital broadly across a wide range of asset classes and strategies including, but not limited to equities, fixed income, commodities, interest rate futures, currencies and other securities to outperform an agreed upon benchmark with specific return and volatility targets.

(i)
Primarily cash and cash equivalents.

        Equities that are valued using quoted prices are valued at the published market prices. Equities in a common collective trust or a registered investment company that are valued using significant other observable inputs are valued at the net asset value (NAV) provided by the fund administrator. The NAV is based on the value of the underlying assets owned by the fund minus its liabilities. Fixed income securities that are valued using significant other observable inputs are valued at prices obtained from independent financial service industry-recognized vendors. Absolute return funds are valued at the NAV provided by the fund administrator.

        The following table summarizes the change in the value of assets that are measured using significant unobservable inputs: (dollars in millions)

January 1, 2009

   $ 303  

Transfers in from other categories

     3  

Actual return on plan assets:

        
 

Assets on hand at year end

     99  
 

Assets sold during the year

     (5 )

Purchases, sales and settlements, net

     130  
       

December 31, 2009

   $ 530  
       

        The investment mix of equity securities, fixed income and other asset allocation strategies is based upon achieving a desired return, balancing higher return, more volatile equity securities, and lower return, less volatile fixed income securities. Investment allocations are made across a range of markets, industry sectors, capitalization sizes, and in the case of fixed income securities, maturities and credit quality. The plans do not directly hold any securities of Abbott. There are no known significant concentrations of risk in the plans' assets.

        The plans' expected return on assets, as shown above, is based on management's expectations of long-term average rates of return to be achieved by the underlying investment portfolios. In establishing this assumption, management considers historical and expected returns for the asset classes in which the plans are invested, as well as current economic and capital market conditions.

        Approximately 70 percent of Abbott's medical and dental plans' assets are invested in equity securities and 30 percent in fixed income securities and are measured using quoted prices in active markets or significant other observable inputs.

        Abbott funds its domestic pension plans according to IRS funding limitations. In 2009, $700 million was funded to the main domestic pension plan and $200 million was funded annually to the main domestic

61

Note 5 — Post-Employment Benefits (Continued)


pension plan in 2008 and in 2007. International pension plans are funded according to similar regulations. Abbott expects pension funding for its main domestic pension plan of $200 million annually.

        Total benefit payments expected to be paid to participants, which includes payments funded from company assets as well as paid from the plans, are as follows: (dollars in millions)

 
   Defined
Benefit Plans 		  Medical and
Dental Plans 		 

2010

   $ 252   $ 79  

2011

     261     84  

2012

     271     89  

2013

     282     94  

2014

     294     100  

2015 to 2019

     1,723     602  

        The Abbott Stock Retirement Plan is the principal defined contribution plan. Abbott's contributions to this plan were $137 million in 2009, $129 million in 2008 and $119 million in 2007.

        Abbott provides certain other post-employment benefits, primarily salary continuation plans, to qualifying domestic employees, and accrues for the related cost over the service lives of the employees.

Note 6 — Taxes on Earnings

        Taxes on earnings from continuing operations reflect the annual effective rates, including charges for interest and penalties. Deferred income taxes reflect the tax consequences on future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts. U.S. income taxes are provided on those earnings of foreign subsidiaries which are intended to be remitted to the parent company. Abbott does not record deferred income taxes on earnings reinvested indefinitely in foreign subsidiaries. Undistributed earnings reinvested indefinitely in foreign subsidiaries as working capital and plant and equipment aggregated $20.6 billion at December 31, 2009. It is not practicable to determine the amount of deferred income taxes not provided on these earnings. In the U.S., Abbott's federal income tax returns through 2005 are settled, and the income tax returns for years after 2005 are open. There are numerous other income tax jurisdictions for which tax returns are not yet settled, none of which are individually significant. Reserves for interest and penalties are not significant.

62

Note 6 — Taxes on Earnings (Continued)

        Earnings from continuing operations before taxes, and the related provisions for taxes on earnings from continuing operations, were as follows: (dollars in millions)

 
   2009   2008   2007  

Earnings From Continuing Operations Before Taxes:

                    

Domestic

   $ 1,502   $ (81 ) $ 670  

Foreign

     5,692     5,937     3,800  
               
 

Total

   $ 7,194   $ 5,856   $ 4,470  
               

 
 
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 

Taxes on Earnings From Continuing Operations:

                    

Current:

                    

U.S. Federal, State and Possessions

   $ 194   $ 1,188   $ 564  

Foreign

     521     782     675  
               
 

Total current

     715     1,970     1,239  
               

Deferred:

                    

Domestic

     905     (845 )   (304 )

Foreign

     (172 )   (3 )   (72 )
               
 

Total deferred

     733     (848 )   (376 )
               
   

Total

   $ 1,448   $ 1,122   $ 863  
               

        Differences between the effective income tax rate and the U.S. statutory tax rate were as follows:

 
   2009   2008   2007  

Statutory tax rate on earnings from continuing operations

     35.0 %   35.0 %   35.0 %

Benefit of lower foreign tax rates and tax exemptions

     (16.4 )   (16.7 )   (12.6 )

State taxes, net of federal benefit

     1.0     0.2     0.4  

Adjustments primarily related to resolution of prior years' accrual requirements

     —     (0.5 )   —  

Domestic dividend exclusion

     —     (0.6 )   (3.1 )

All other, net

     0.5     1.8     (0.4 )
               

Effective tax rate on earnings from continuing operations

     20.1 %   19.2 %   19.3 %
               

        As of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, total deferred tax assets were $4.4 billion, $5.4 billion and $3.6 billion, respectively, and total deferred tax liabilities were $1.8 billion, $1.4 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively. Abbott has incurred losses in a foreign jurisdiction where realization of the future economic benefit is so remote that the benefit is not reflected as a deferred tax asset. Valuation allowances for

63

Note 6 — Taxes on Earnings (Continued)


recorded deferred tax assets were not significant. The tax effect of the differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows: (dollars in millions)

 
   2009   2008   2007  

Compensation and employee benefits

   $ 1,332   $ 1,496   $ 862  

Trade receivable reserves

     369     434     337  

Inventory reserves

     251     261     220  

Deferred intercompany profit

     232     248     262  

State income taxes

     187     137     84  

Depreciation

     (93 )   (64 )   (105 )

Acquired in-process research and development and other accruals and reserves not currently deductible

     1,889     2,771     1,751  

Other, primarily the excess of book basis over tax basis of intangible assets

     (1,593 )   (1,293 )   (1,197 )
               
 

Total

   $ 2,574   $ 3,990   $ 2,214  
               

        The following table summarizes the gross amounts of unrecognized tax benefits without regard to reduction in tax liabilities or additions to deferred tax assets and liabilities if such unrecognized tax benefits were settled. (dollars in millions)

 
   2009   2008   2007  

January 1

   $ 1,523   $ 1,126   $ 713  

Increase due to current year tax positions

     544     385     339  

Increase due to prior year tax positions

     234     418     147  

Decrease due to current year tax positions

     —     (25 )   —  

Decrease due to prior year tax positions

     (90 )   (240 )   (11 )

Settlements

     (39 )   (121 )   (62 )

Lapse of statute

     —     (20 )   —  
               

December 31

   $ 2,172   $ 1,523   $ 1,126  
               

        The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate is approximately $2.0 billion. Abbott believes that it is reasonably possible that unrecognized tax benefits will be settled within the next twelve months as a result of concluding various tax matters. Abbott expects the range of the decrease in the recorded amounts of unrecognized tax benefits, primarily as a result of cash adjustments, to range from zero to $680 million, arising from the conclusion of these tax matters.

Note 7 — Segment and Geographic Area Information

        Abbott's principal business is the discovery, development, manufacture and sale of a broad line of health care products. Abbott's products are generally sold directly to retailers, wholesalers, hospitals, health care facilities, laboratories, physicians' offices and government agencies throughout the world. Abbott's reportable segments are as follows:

        Pharmaceutical Products —  Worldwide sales of a broad line of pharmaceuticals. For segment reporting purposes, two pharmaceutical divisions are aggregated and reported as the Pharmaceutical Products segment.

        Nutritional Products —  Worldwide sales of a broad line of adult and pediatric nutritional products.

64

Note 7 — Segment and Geographic Area Information (Continued)

        Diagnostic Products —  Worldwide sales of diagnostic systems and tests for blood banks, hospitals, commercial laboratories and alternate-care testing sites. For segment reporting purposes, three diagnostic divisions are aggregated and reported as the Diagnostic Products segment.

        Vascular Products —  Worldwide sales of coronary, endovascular and vessel closure products.

        Abbott's underlying accounting records are maintained on a legal entity basis for government and public reporting requirements. Segment disclosures are on a performance basis consistent with internal management reporting. Intersegment transfers of inventory are recorded at standard cost and are not a measure of segment operating earnings. The cost of some corporate functions and the cost of certain employee benefits are charged to segments at predetermined rates that approximate cost. Remaining costs, if any, are not allocated to segments. For acquisitions prior to 2006, substantially all intangible assets and related amortization are not allocated to segments. The following segment information has been prepared in accordance with the internal accounting policies of Abbott, as described above, and are not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied to the consolidated financial statements. (dollars in millions)

 
   Net Sales to
External Customers (a) 		  Operating Earnings
(Loss) (a) 		  Depreciation and
Amortization 		  Additions to
Long-term Assets 		  Total Assets  
 
   2009   2008   2007   2009   2008   2007   2009   2008   2007   2009   2008   2007   2009   2008   2007  

Pharmaceuticals (b)

   $ 16,486   $ 16,708   $ 14,632   $ 6,443   $ 6,331   $ 5,509   $ 384   $ 323   $ 330   $ 239   $ 831   $ 407   $ 11,215   $ 10,356   $ 9,197  

Nutritionals

     5,284     4,924     4,388     910     859     855     157     135     115     173     281     388     3,368     3,220     3,261  

Diagnostics

     3,578     3,575     3,158     406     375     252     282     312     286     453     270     374     3,688     3,218     3,792  

Vascular (b)

     2,692     2,241     1,663     557     205     (188 )   238     240     234     611     489     312     5,403     4,822     4,706  
                                                               

Total Reportable Segments

     28,040     27,448     23,841   $ 8,316   $ 7,770   $ 6,428   $ 1,061   $ 1,010   $ 965   $ 1,476   $ 1,871   $ 1,481   $ 23,674   $ 21,616   $ 20,956  
                                                                     

Other

     2,725     2,080     2,073                                                                          
                                                                                       

Net Sales

   $ 30,765   $ 29,528   $ 25,914                                                                          
                                                                                       
(a)
Net sales and operating earnings for 2009 were unfavorably affected by the relatively stronger U.S. dollar and were favorably affected by the relatively weaker U.S. dollar in 2008 and 2007.

(b)
Additions to long-term assets in 2009 for the Vascular Products segment include goodwill of $158 and intangibles of $373. Additions to long-term assets in 2008 for the Pharmaceutical Products segment includes acquired intangible assets of $700 and for the Vascular Products segment includes goodwill of $321.

   
   2009   2008   2007  
   
   (dollars in millions)
  
 

Total Reportable Segment Operating Earnings

   $ 8,316   $ 7,770   $ 6,428  
 

Corporate functions and benefit plans costs

     (354 )   (377 )   (421 )
 

Non-reportable segments

     209     133     298  
 

Net interest expense

     (382 )   (327 )   (456 )
 

Acquired in-process research and development

     (170 )   (97 )   —  
 

Income from the TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. joint venture

     —     119     498  
 

Share-based compensation

     (366 )   (347 )   (430 )
 

Other, net (c)

     (59 )   (1,018 )   (1,447 )
                 
 

Consolidated Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Taxes

   $ 7,194   $ 5,856   $ 4,470  
                 

65

Note 7 — Segment and Geographic Area Information (Continued)

(c)
Other, net, for 2009, includes the derecognition of a contingent liability of $797 established in connection with the conclusion of the TAP joint venture and a $287 gain from a patent litigation settlement.

   
    
    
    
   2009   2008   2007  
   
    
    
    
   (dollars in millions)
  
 

Total Reportable Segment Assets

   $ 23,674   $ 21,616   $ 20,956  
 

Cash and investments

     11,065     6,153     3,946  
 

Current deferred income taxes

     2,364     2,463     2,110  
 

Non-reportable segments

     5,371     1,094     1,575  
 

All other, net, primarily goodwill and intangible assets not allocated to reportable segments

     9,943     11,093     11,127  
                                   
 

Total Assets

   $ 52,417   $ 42,419   $ 39,714  
                                   

 
 
 
Net Sales to External Customers (d)
 
Long-term Assets
 
   
   2009   2008   2007   2009   2008   2007  
   
   (dollars in millions)
  
 

United States

   $ 14,453   $ 14,495   $ 13,252   $ 14,886   $ 14,271   $ 12,870  
 

Japan

     1,590     1,249     1,111     1,161     1,046     987  
 

Germany

     1,481     1,381     1,235     6,914     5,833     6,822  
 

The Netherlands

     1,801     1,753     1,271     365     175     211  
 

Italy

     1,172     1,089     974     274     248     288  
 

Canada

     902     924     832     166     131     156  
 

France

     959     977     854     106     114     142  
 

Spain

     970     909     731     342     284     336  
 

United Kingdom

     779     725     627     1,095     1,008     1,371  
 

All Other Countries

     6,658     6,026     5,027     3,794     2,267     2,488  
                             
 

Consolidated

   $ 30,765   $ 29,528   $ 25,914   $ 29,103   $ 25,377   $ 25,671  
                             
(d)
Sales by country are based on the country that sold the product.

Note 8 — Litigation and Environmental Matters

        Abbott has been identified as a potentially responsible party for investigation and cleanup costs at a number of locations in the United States and Puerto Rico under federal and state remediation laws and is investigating potential contamination at a number of company-owned locations. Abbott has recorded an estimated cleanup cost for each site for which management believes Abbott has a probable loss exposure. No individual site cleanup exposure is expected to exceed $3 million, and the aggregate cleanup exposure is not expected to exceed $15 million.

        There are a number of patent disputes with third parties who claim Abbott's products infringe their patents. In April 2007, New York University (NYU) and Centocor, Inc. filed a lawsuit in the Eastern District of Texas asserting that HUMIRA infringes a patent co-owned by NYU and Centocor and exclusively licensed to Centocor. In June 2009, a jury found that Abbott had willfully infringed the patent and awarded NYU and Centocor approximately $1.67 billion in past compensatory damages. In October 2009, the district court overturned the jury's finding that Abbott's infringement was willful, but denied Abbott's request to overturn the jury's verdict on validity, infringement, and damages. In December 2009, the district court issued a final judgment and awarded the plaintiffs an additional $175 million in

66

Note 8 — Litigation and Environmental Matters (Continued)


prejudgment interest. Abbott has appealed the jury's verdict. Abbott is confident in the merits of its case and believes that it will prevail on appeal. As a result, no reserves have been recorded in this case. Abbott's acquisition of Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. resulted in the assumption of various cases and investigations and Abbott has recorded a reserve.

        There are several civil actions pending brought by individuals or entities that allege generally that Abbott and numerous pharmaceutical companies reported false or misleading pricing information relating to the average wholesale price of certain pharmaceutical products in connection with federal, state and private reimbursement. Civil actions have also been brought against Abbott, and in some cases other members of the pharmaceutical industry, by state attorneys general seeking to recover alleged damages on behalf of state Medicaid programs. In May 2006, Abbott was notified that the U.S. Department of Justice intervened in a civil whistle-blower lawsuit alleging that Abbott inflated prices for Medicaid and Medicare reimbursable drugs. Abbott has settled a few of the cases and recorded reserves for its estimated losses in a few other cases, however, Abbott is unable to estimate the range or amount of possible loss for the remaining cases, and no loss reserves have been recorded for them. Many of the products involved in these cases are Hospira products. Hospira, Abbott's former hospital products business, was spun off to Abbott's shareholders in 2004. Abbott retained liability for losses that result from these cases and investigations to the extent any such losses both relate to the sale of Hospira's products prior to the spin-off of Hospira and relate to allegations that were made in such pending and future cases and investigations that were the same as allegations existing at the date of the spin-off.

        Within the next year, legal proceedings may occur that may result in a change in the estimated reserves recorded by Abbott. For its legal proceedings and environmental exposures, except as noted above, Abbott estimates the range of possible loss to be from approximately $170 million to $310 million. The recorded reserve balance at December 31, 2009 for these proceedings and exposures was approximately $215 million. These reserves represent management's best estimate of probable loss, as defined by FASB ASC No. 450, "Contingencies."

        While it is not feasible to predict the outcome of all such proceedings and exposures with certainty, management believes that their ultimate disposition should not have a material adverse effect on Abbott's financial position, cash flows, or results of operations, except for the cases and investigations discussed in the third paragraph and the patent case discussed in the second paragraph of this footnote, the resolution of which could be material to cash flows or results of operations.

        In 2009, Abbott and Medtronic, Inc. reached a settlement resolving all outstanding intellectual property litigation between the two parties. Under the terms of the settlement, Medtronic paid Abbott $400 million. The settlement also includes a mutual agreement not to pursue additional litigation on current and future vascular products, subject to specific conditions and time limits. In connection with the settlement, Abbott recognized a gain of $287 million which is included in Other (income) expense, net. The remaining amounts are being recognized as royalty income as earned.

Note 9 — Incentive Stock Program

        The 2009 Incentive Stock Program authorizes the granting of nonqualified stock options, replacement stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance awards, foreign benefits and other share-based awards. Stock options, replacement stock options and restricted stock awards and units comprise the majority of benefits that have been granted and are currently outstanding under this program and a prior program. In 2009, Abbott granted 1,783,300 stock options, 1,449,301 replacement stock options, 1,278,467 restricted stock awards and 5,677,322 restricted stock units under this program. In addition, 2,899,411 options were issued in connection with the conversion of Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. options to Abbott options. The purchase price of shares under option must be at least equal to the fair

67

Note 9 — Incentive Stock Program (Continued)


market value of the common stock on the date of grant, and the maximum term of an option is 10 years. Options vest equally over three years except for replacement options, which vest in six months. Options granted before January 1, 2005 included a replacement feature. Except for options outstanding that have a replacement feature, options granted after December 31, 2004 do not include a replacement feature. When an employee tenders mature shares to Abbott upon exercise of a stock option, a replacement stock option may be granted equal to the amount of shares tendered. Replacement options are granted at the then current market price for a term that expires on the date of the underlying option grant. Upon a change in control of Abbott, all outstanding stock options become fully exercisable, and all terms and conditions of all restricted stock awards and units are deemed satisfied. Restricted stock awards generally vest between 3 and 5 years and for restricted stock awards that vest over 5 years, no more than one-third of the award vests in any one year upon Abbott reaching a minimum return on equity target. Restricted stock units vest over three years and upon vesting, the recipient receives one share of Abbott stock for each vested restricted stock unit. The aggregate fair market value of restricted stock awards and units is recognized as expense over the service period. Restricted stock awards and settlement of vested restricted stock units are issued out of treasury shares. Abbott generally issues new shares for exercises of stock options. Abbott does not have a policy of purchasing its shares relating to its share-based programs. At December 31, 2009, approximately 220 million shares were reserved for future grants, including 175 million shares authorized by Abbott's shareholders in April 2009. Subsequent to year-end, the reserve was reduced by approximately 23 million shares for stock options and restricted stock awards and units granted by the Board of Directors.

        The number of restricted stock awards and units outstanding and the weighted-average grant-date fair value at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2009 was 3,574,445 and $52.21 and 8,703,247 and $53.64, respectively. The number of restricted stock awards and units, and the weighted-average grant-date fair value, that were granted, vested and lapsed during 2009 were 6,955,789 and $53.54, 1,556,472 and $49.98 and 270,515 and $53.39, respectively. The fair market value of restricted stock awards and units vested in 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $81 million, $76 million and $114 million, respectively.

 
   Options Outstanding   Exercisable Options  
 
   Shares   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price 		  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life (Years) 		  Shares   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price 		  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life (Years) 		 

December 31, 2008

     128,827,135   $ 49.16     6.4     87,770,715   $ 47.39     5.4  
                               

Granted

     6,132,012     58.50                          

Exercised

     (13,281,445 )   43.91                          

Lapsed

     (2,817,581 )   54.94                          
                                   

December 31, 2009

     118,860,121   $ 50.09     5.7     98,251,406   $ 49.16     5.2  
                           

        The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2009 was $574 million and $565 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised in 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $129 million, $314 million and $613 million, respectively. The total unrecognized compensation cost related to all share-based compensation plans at December 31, 2009 amounted to approximately $230 million which is expected to be recognized over the next three years.

        Total non-cash compensation expense charged against income in 2009, 2008 and 2007 for share-based plans totaled approximately $365 million, $350 million and $430 million, respectively, and the tax benefit recognized was approximately $118 million, $117 million and $142 million, respectively. Compensation cost capitalized as part of inventory is not significant.

68

Note 9 — Incentive Stock Program (Continued)

        The fair value of an option granted in 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $9.28, $11.42 and $12.88, respectively. The fair value of an option grant was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

 
   2009   2008   2007  

Risk-free interest rate

     2.7 %   3.0 %   4.5 %

Average life of options (years)

     6.0     6.0     5.9  

Volatility

     22.0 %   24.0 %   25.0 %

Dividend yield

     3.0 %   2.6 %   2.5 %

        The risk-free interest rate is based on the rates available at the time of the grant for zero-coupon U.S. government issues with a remaining term equal to the option's expected life. The average life of an option is based on both historical and projected exercise and lapsing data. Expected volatility is based on implied volatilities from traded options on Abbott's stock and historical volatility of Abbott's stock over the expected life of the option. Dividend yield is based on the option's exercise price and annual dividend rate at the time of grant.

Note 10 — Debt and Lines of Credit

        The following is a summary of long-term debt at December 31: (dollars in millions)

 
   2009   2008   2007  

Various notes, due 2009

   $ —   $ —   $ 1,000  

1.51% Yen notes, due 2010

     —     157     135  

3.75% Notes, due 2011

     500     500     500  

5.6% Notes, due 2011

     1,500     1,500     1,500  

5.15% Notes, due 2012

     1,000     1,000     1,000  

4.35% Notes, due 2014

     500     500     500  

5.875% Notes, due 2016

     2,000     2,000     2,000  

5.6% Notes, due 2017

     1,500     1,500     1,500  

5.125% Notes, due 2019

     2,000     —     —  

6.15% Notes, due 2037

     1,000     1,000     1,000  

6.0% Notes, due 2039

     1,000     —     —  

Other, including fair value adjustments relating to interest rate hedge contracts designated as fair value hedges

     266     556     353  
               

Total, net of current maturities

     11,266     8,713     9,488  

Current maturities of long-term debt

     211     1,041     898  
               

Total carrying amount

   $ 11,477   $ 9,754   $ 10,386  
               

        Principal payments required on long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2009, are $211 million in 2010, $2.0 billion in 2011, $1.0 billion in 2012, $291 million in 2013, $502 million in 2014 and $7.6 billion thereafter.

        At December 31, 2009, Abbott's long-term debt rating was AA by Standard & Poor's Corporation and A1 by Moody's Investors Service. Abbott has readily available financial resources, including unused lines of credit of $6.3 billion that support commercial paper borrowing arrangements of which a $3.3 billion facility expires in October 2010 and a $3.0 billion facility expires in 2012. Related compensating balances, which are subject to withdrawal by Abbott at its option, and commitment fees are not material. Abbott's weighted-average interest rate on short-term borrowings was 0.2% at December 31, 2009, 0.5% at December 31, 2008 and 3.7% at December 31, 2007.

69

Note 11 — Business Combinations, Technology Acquisitions and Related Transactions

        On January 1, 2009, Abbott adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), "Business Combinations," as codified in FASB ASC No. 805, "Business Combinations." Under ASC No. 805, acquired in-process research and development is accounted for as an indefinite-lived intangible asset until approval or discontinuation rather than as expense, acquisition costs in connection with an acquisition are expensed rather than added to the cost of an acquisition and the fair value of contingent consideration at the date of an acquisition is added to the cost of the acquisition.

        In February 2009, Abbott acquired the outstanding shares of Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. (AMO) for approximately $1.4 billion in cash, net of cash held by AMO. Prior to the acquisition, Abbott held a small investment in AMO. Abbott acquired AMO to take advantage of increasing demand for vision care technologies due to population growth and demographic shifts and AMO's premier position in its field. Abbott acquired control of this business on February 25, 2009 and the financial results of the acquired operations are included in these financial statements beginning on that date. The acquisition was financed with long-term debt. The allocation of the fair value of the acquisition is shown in the table below: (dollars in billions)

Goodwill, non-deductible

   $ 1.7  

Acquired intangible assets, non-deductible

     0.9  

Acquired in-process research and development, non-deductible

     0.2  

Acquired net tangible assets

     0.4  

Acquired debt

     (1.5 )

Deferred income taxes recorded at acquisition

     (0.3 )
       

Total allocation of fair value

   $ 1.4  
       

        Acquired intangible assets consist of established customer relationships, developed technology and trade names and will be amortized over 2 to 30 years (average of 15 years). Acquired in-process research and development will be accounted for as an indefinite-lived intangible asset until regulatory approval or discontinuation. The net tangible assets acquired consist primarily of trade accounts receivable, inventory, property and equipment and other assets, net of assumed liabilities, primarily trade accounts payable, accrued compensation and other liabilities. Abbott incurred approximately $89 million of acquisition-related expenses in 2009 which are classified as Selling, general and administrative expense. In addition, subsequent to the acquisition, Abbott repaid substantially all of the acquired debt of AMO.

        In October 2009, Abbott acquired 100 percent of Visiogen, Inc. for $400 million, in cash, providing Abbott with a next-generation accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) technology to address presbyopia for cataract patients. The preliminary allocation of the fair value of the acquisition resulted in non-deductible acquired in-process research and development of approximately $195 million which will be accounted for as an indefinite-lived intangible asset until regulatory approval or discontinuation, non-deductible definite-lived intangible assets of approximately $33 million, goodwill of approximately $260 million and deferred income taxes of approximately $89 million. Acquired intangible assets consist of developed technology and will be amortized over 12 years. The allocation of the fair value of the acquisition will be finalized when the valuation is completed.

        In October 2009, Abbott acquired Evalve, Inc. for $320 million, in cash, plus an additional payment of $90 million to be made upon completion of certain regulatory milestones. Abbott acquired Evalve to obtain a presence in the growing area of non-surgical treatment for structural heart disease. Including a previous investment in Evalve, Abbott has acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Evalve. In connection with the acquisition, the carrying amount of this investment was revalued to fair value resulting in recording $28 million of income, which is reported as Other (income) expense, net. The preliminary

70

Note 11 — Business Combinations, Technology Acquisitions and Related Transactions (Continued)


allocation of the fair value of the acquisition resulted in non-deductible definite-lived intangible assets of approximately $145 million, non-deductible acquired in-process research and development of approximately $228 million which will be accounted for as an indefinite-lived intangible asset until regulatory approval or discontinuation, goodwill of approximately $158 million and deferred income taxes of approximately $136 million. Acquired intangible assets consist of developed technology and will be amortized over 12 years. The allocation of the fair value of the acquisition will be finalized when the valuation is completed.

        In January 2009, Abbott acquired Ibis Biosciences, Inc. (Ibis) for $175 million, in cash, to expand Abbott's position in molecular diagnostics for infectious disease. Including a $40 million investment in Ibis in 2008, Abbott has acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Ibis. A substantial portion of the fair value of the acquisition has been allocated to goodwill and amortizable intangible assets, and acquired in-process research and development that will be accounted for as an indefinite-lived intangible asset until regulatory approval or discontinuation. The investment in Ibis in 2008 resulted in a charge to acquired in-process research and development. In connection with the acquisition, the carrying amount of this investment was revalued to fair value resulting in recording $33 million of income, which is reported as Other (income) expense, net.

        Had the above acquisitions taken place on January 1 of the previous year, consolidated net sales and income would not have been significantly different from reported amounts.

        In December 2009, Abbott acquired the global rights to a novel biologic for the treatment of chronic pain for $170 million, in cash, resulting in a charge to acquired in-process research and development.

        In September 2009, Abbott announced an agreement to acquire Solvay's pharmaceuticals business for EUR 4.5 billion (approximately $6.2 billion), in cash, plus additional payments of up to EUR 300 million if certain sales milestones are met. This acquisition will provide Abbott with a large and complementary portfolio of pharmaceutical products and a significant presence in key global emerging markets and will add approximately $500 million to Abbott's research and development spending. The transaction closed on February 15, 2010. Sales for the acquired business are forecast to be approximately $2.9 billion in 2010. The allocation of the fair value of the acquisition will be finalized when the valuation is completed.

Note 12 — Goodwill and Intangible Assets

        Abbott recorded goodwill of approximately $2.2 billion in 2009 related to the acquisitions of Advanced Medical Optics, Inc., Ibis Biosciences, Inc., Visiogen, Inc. and Evalve, Inc. Goodwill of approximately $120 million related to the Ibis acquisition was allocated to the Diagnostic Products segment and goodwill of approximately $160 million related to the Evalve acquisition was allocated to the Vascular Products segment. In connection with the dissolution of the TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. (TAP) joint venture in 2008, Abbott recorded approximately $350 million of goodwill related to the Pharmaceutical Products segment. In 2008, Abbott paid $250 million to Boston Scientific as a result of the FDA's approval to market the Xience V drug-eluting stent in the U.S., resulting in an increase in goodwill in the Vascular Products segment. Abbott recorded goodwill of $53 million in 2007 related to acquisitions. Goodwill adjustments recorded in 2007 allocated to the Pharmaceutical Products segment amounted to $194 million and adjustments allocated to the Vascular Products segment amounted to $(141) million. Foreign currency translation and other adjustments increased (decreased) goodwill in 2009, 2008 and 2007 by $997 million, $(677) million and $627 million, respectively. The amount of goodwill related to reportable segments at December 31, 2009 was $6.7 billion for the Pharmaceutical Products segment, $206 million for the Nutritional Products segment, $385 million for the Diagnostic Products segment, and $2.7 billion for the Vascular Products segment. Goodwill was reduced by approximately $64 million in

71

Note 12 — Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Continued)


connection with the sale of Abbott's spine business in 2008. There were no other reductions of goodwill relating to impairments or disposal of all or a portion of a business.

        The gross amount of amortizable intangible assets, primarily product rights and technology was $10.8 billion, $9.4 billion and $9.0 billion as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and accumulated amortization was $5.1 billion, $4.2 billion and $3.3 billion as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Indefinite-lived intangible assets, which relate to in-process research and development acquired in a business combination, were approximately $610 million at December 31, 2009. The estimated annual amortization expense for intangible assets recorded at December 31, 2009 is approximately $899 million in 2010, $884 million in 2011, $865 million in 2012, $739 million in 2013 and $656 million in 2014. Amortizable intangible assets are amortized over 2 to 30 years (average 11 years).

Note 13 — Restructuring Plans

        In 2008, Abbott management approved a plan to streamline global manufacturing operations, reduce overall costs, and improve efficiencies in Abbott's core diagnostic business. In 2008, Abbott recorded a charge to Cost of products sold of approximately $129 million under the plan. Additional charges of approximately $54 million and $16 million were recorded in 2009 and 2008, respectively, relating to this restructuring, primarily for accelerated depreciation and product transfer costs. Additional charges will be incurred through 2011 as a result of product re-registration timelines required under manufacturing regulations in a number of countries and product transition timelines. The following summarizes the activity for this restructuring: (dollars in millions)

2008 restructuring charge

   $ 129  

Payments and other adjustments

     (19 )
       

Accrued balance at December 31, 2008

     110  

Payments and other adjustments

     (12 )
       

Accrued balance at December 31, 2009

   $ 98  
       

        In 2009 and prior years, Abbott management approved plans to realign its worldwide pharmaceutical and vascular manufacturing operations and selected domestic and international commercial and research and development operations in order to reduce costs. In 2009, 2008 and 2007, Abbott recorded charges of approximately $114 million, $36 million and $107 million, respectively, reflecting the impairment of manufacturing facilities and other assets, employee severance and other related charges. Approximately $94 million in 2007 is classified as cost of products sold, $3 million in 2007 as research and development and $114 million, $36 million and $10 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, as selling, general and administrative. Fair value for the determination of the amount of asset impairments was determined primarily based on a discounted cash flow method. An additional $47 million, $81 million and $90 million were subsequently recorded in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, relating to these restructurings, primarily for accelerated depreciation. In addition, Abbott implemented facilities restructuring plans in 2007 related to the acquired operations of Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc. which resulted in an increase to goodwill of

72

Note 13 — Restructuring Plans (Continued)


approximately $52 million. The following summarizes the activity for these restructurings: (dollars in millions)

Accrued balance at January 1, 2007

   $ 193  

2007 restructuring charges

     159  

Payments, impairments and other adjustments

     (158 )
       

Accrued balance at December 31, 2007

     194  

2008 restructuring charges

     36  

Payments, impairments and other adjustments

     (125 )
       

Accrued balance at December 31, 2008

     105  

2009 restructuring charges

     114  

Payments and other adjustments

     (74 )
       

Accrued balance at December 31, 2009

   $ 145  
       

Note 14 — Subsequent Events

        As of the beginning of 2010, Venezuela has been designated as a highly inflationary economy under U.S. GAAP. As a result, beginning in 2010, the U.S. dollar will be the functional currency for Abbott's operations in Venezuela. In January 2010, the Venezuelan government announced a devaluation of its bolivar currency relative to the U.S. dollar. Excluding the one-time balance sheet devaluation and local tax liability impact of approximately $110 million, Abbott does not expect the bolivar devaluation to have a significant impact on consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

        In January 2010, Abbott suspended its sales of sibutramine in the European Union (EU) following the recommendation by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Abbott reflected the 2009 impact of the suspension, primarily related to inventory exposures, in its 2009 results. Abbott does not expect the suspension of EU sibutramine sales to have a significant impact on consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

        The judgment entered by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against Abbott in its litigation with New York University and Centocor, Inc. requires Abbott to secure the judgment in the event that its appeal to the Federal Circuit court is unsuccessful in overturning the district court's decision. Abbott expects to deposit approximately $1.8 billion with an escrow agent during the first quarter of 2010 and will consider these assets to be restricted.

73

Note 15 — Quarterly Results (Unaudited)

(dollars in millions except per share data)

 
   2009   2008   2007  

First Quarter

                    

Net Sales

   $ 6,718.4   $ 6,765.6   $ 5,945.5  

Gross Profit

     3,782.4     3,804.5     3,353.5  

Net Earnings

     1,438.6     937.9     697.6  

Basic Earnings Per Common Share (a)

     .93     .61     .45  

Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (a)

     .92     .60     .45  

Market Price Per Share – High

     57.39     61.09     57.26  

Market Price Per Share – Low

     44.10     50.09     48.75  

Second Quarter

                    

Net Sales

   $ 7,494.9   $ 7,314.0   $ 6,370.6  

Gross Profit

     4,365.9     4,194.4     3,566.3  

Net Earnings

     1,288.1     1,322.0     988.7  

Basic Earnings Per Common Share (a)

     .83     .86     .64  

Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (a)

     .83     .85     .63  

Market Price Per Share – High

     48.37     57.04     59.50  

Market Price Per Share – Low

     41.27     50.09     52.80  

Third Quarter

                    

Net Sales

   $ 7,761.3   $ 7,497.7   $ 6,376.7  

Gross Profit

     4,401.2     4,144.8     3,512.7  

Net Earnings

     1,480.4     1,084.6     717.0  

Basic Earnings Per Common Share (a)

     .95     .70     .46  

Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (a)

     .95     .69     .46  

Market Price Per Share – High

     49.69     60.78     56.91  

Market Price Per Share – Low

     43.45     52.63     49.58  

Fourth Quarter

                    

Net Sales

   $ 8,790.1   $ 7,950.3   $ 7,221.4  

Gross Profit

     5,005.9     4,771.9     4,059.7  

Net Earnings

     1,538.7     1,536.2     1,203.0  

Basic Earnings Per Common Share (a)

     .99     .99     .78  

Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (a)

     .98     .98     .77  

Market Price Per Share – High

     54.97     59.93     59.48  

Market Price Per Share – Low

     48.41     45.75     50.51  
(a)
The sum of the quarters' basic earnings per share for 2009 and 2007 and the sum of the quarters' diluted earnings per share for 2009 do not add to the full year earnings per share amounts due to rounding.

74


 Management Report on Internal Control
Over Financial Reporting

        The management of Abbott Laboratories is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Abbott's internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the company's management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.

        All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

        Abbott's management assessed the effectiveness of the company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. As allowed by SEC guidance, management excluded from its assessment Abbott Medical Optics which was acquired in 2009 and accounted for approximately 7 percent of consolidated total assets and 3 percent of consolidated net sales as of and for the year ended December 31, 2009. Based on our assessment, we believe that, as of December 31, 2009, the company's internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.

        Abbott's independent registered public accounting firm has issued an audit report on their assessment of the effectiveness of the company's internal control over financial reporting. This report appears on page 77.

Miles D. White
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Thomas C. Freyman
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Greg W. Linder
VICE PRESIDENT AND CONTROLLER

February 19, 2010

75


 Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Abbott Laboratories:

        We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Abbott Laboratories and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, shareholders' investment, and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

        We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

        As discussed in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted the provisions of a new accounting standard relating to business combinations in 2009.

        We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 19, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Chicago, Illinois
February 19, 2010

76

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Abbott Laboratories:

        We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Abbott Laboratories and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. As described in Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, management excluded from its assessment Abbott Medical Optics which was acquired in 2009 and accounted for approximately 7% of consolidated total assets and approximately 3% of consolidated net sales as of and for the year ended December 31, 2009. Accordingly, our audit did not include the internal control over financial reporting at Abbott Medical Optics. The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

        We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

        Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

        In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

        We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2009 and our report dated February 19, 2010 expresses an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and includes an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company's adoption of a new accounting standard in 2009.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Chicago, Illinois
February 19, 2010

77

ITEM 9.    CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

        None.

ITEM 9A.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

        Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.    The Chief Executive Officer, Miles D. White, and the Chief Financial Officer, Thomas C. Freyman, evaluated the effectiveness of Abbott Laboratories' disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report, and concluded that Abbott Laboratories' disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information Abbott is required to disclose in the reports that it files or submits with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission's rules and forms, and to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Abbott in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to Abbott's management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

        Management's annual report on internal control over financial reporting.    Management's report on Abbott's internal control over financial reporting is included on page 75 hereof. The report of Abbott's independent registered public accounting firm related to their assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting is included on page 77 hereof.

        Changes in internal control over financial reporting.    During the quarter ended December 31, 2009, there were no changes in Abbott's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Abbott's internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B.    OTHER INFORMATION

        None.

78


 PART III

ITEM 10.    DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

        Incorporated herein by reference are "Information Concerning Nominees for Directors," "Committees of the Board of Directors," "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance," and "Procedure for Recommendation and Nomination of Directors and Transaction of Business at Annual Meeting" to be included in the 2010 Abbott Laboratories Proxy Statement. The 2010 Proxy Statement will be filed on or about March 15, 2010. Also incorporated herein by reference is the text found under the caption, "Executive Officers of the Registrant" on pages 19 through 22 hereof.

        Abbott has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer and controller. That code is part of Abbott's code of business conduct which is available free of charge through Abbott's investor relations website (www.abbottinvestor.com). Abbott intends to include on its website (www.abbott.com) any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of its code of ethics that applies to Abbott's principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer and controller that relates to any element of the code of ethics definition enumerated in Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K.

ITEM 11.    EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

        The material to be included in the 2010 Proxy Statement under the headings "Director Compensation," "Executive Compensation," and "Compensation Committee Report" is incorporated herein by reference. The 2010 Proxy Statement will be filed on or about March 15, 2010.

ITEM 12.    SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

(a)
Equity Compensation Plan Information.

Plan Category
  (a)
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights 		  (b)
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights 		  (c)
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) 		 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders1

     118,860,121   $ 50.09     231,795,260  

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

     0   $ 0.00     0  

Total1

     118,860,121   $ 50.09     231,795,260  
1.
(i) Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program. Benefits under the 1996 Program include stock options intended to qualify for special tax treatment under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code ("incentive stock options"), stock options that do not qualify for that special tax treatment ("non-qualified stock options"), restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance awards, and foreign qualified benefits. The shares that remain available for issuance under the 1996 Program may be issued in connection with any one of these benefits and may be either authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares (except that restricted stock awards may be satisfied only from treasury shares).

79

        For additional information concerning the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program, the Abbott Laboratories 2009 Incentive Stock Program, and the Abbott Laboratories 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan for Non-U.S. Employees, see the discussion in Note 9 entitled "Incentive Stock Program" of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

(b)
Information Concerning Security Ownership. Incorporated herein by reference is the material under the heading "Security Ownership of Executive Officers and Directors" in the 2010 Proxy Statement. The 2010 Proxy Statement will be filed on or about March 15, 2010.

80

ITEM 13.    CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

        The material to be included in the 2010 Proxy Statement under the headings "The Board of Directors," "Committees of the Board of Directors," "Corporate Governance Materials," and "Approval Process for Related Person Transactions" is incorporated herein by reference. The 2010 Proxy Statement will be filed on or about March 15, 2010.

ITEM 14.    PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

        The material to be included in the 2010 Proxy Statement under the headings "Audit Fees and Non-Audit Fees" and "Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of the Independent Auditor" is incorporated herein by reference. The 2010 Proxy Statement will be filed on or about March 15, 2010.

81


 PART IV

ITEM 15.    EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)
Documents filed as part of this Form 10-K.

(1)
Financial Statements: See Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," on page 43 hereof, for a list of financial statements.

(2)
Financial Statement Schedules: The required financial statement schedules are found on the pages indicated below. These schedules should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of Abbott Laboratories:

 
Abbott Laboratories Financial Statement Schedules
  Page No.  
 

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Schedule II)

     85  
 

Schedules I, III, IV, and V are not submitted because they are not applicable or not required

        
 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     86  
 

Individual Financial Statements of businesses acquired by the registrant have been omitted pursuant to Rule 3.05 of Regulation S-X

        
(b)
Exhibits filed (see Exhibit Index on pages 87 through 95).

(c)
Financial Statement Schedule filed (page 85).

82


 SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Abbott Laboratories has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

    ABBOTT LABORATORIES

 
 
By
 
/s/ MILES D. WHITE
 Miles D. White
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer

 
 
Date: February 19, 2010

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of Abbott Laboratories on February 19, 2010 in the capacities indicated below.

/s/ MILES D. WHITE
 Miles D. White
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Abbott Laboratories (principal executive officer)		   /s/ THOMAS C. FREYMAN
 Thomas C. Freyman
Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)

/s/ GREG W. LINDER
 Greg W. Linder
Vice President and Controller
(principal accounting officer)
 
/s/ ROBERT J. ALPERN, M.D.
 Robert J. Alpern, M.D.
Director of Abbott Laboratories

/s/ ROXANNE S. AUSTIN
 Roxanne S. Austin
Director of Abbott Laboratories
 
/s/ WILLIAM M. DALEY
 William M. Daley
Director of Abbott Laboratories

/s/ W. JAMES FARRELL
 W. James Farrell
Director of Abbott Laboratories
 
/s/ H. LAURANCE FULLER
 H. Laurance Fuller
Director of Abbott Laboratories

/s/ WILLIAM A. OSBORN
 William A. Osborn
Director of Abbott Laboratories
 
/s/ DAVID A. L. OWEN
 David A. L. Owen
Director of Abbott Laboratories

83

/s/ W. ANN REYNOLDS, PH.D.
 W. Ann Reynolds, Ph.D.
Director of Abbott Laboratories		   /s/ ROY S. ROBERTS
 Roy S. Roberts
Director of Abbott Laboratories

/s/ SAMUEL C. SCOTT III
 Samuel C. Scott III
Director of Abbott Laboratories
 
/s/ WILLIAM D. SMITHBURG
 William D. Smithburg
Director of Abbott Laboratories

/s/ GLENN F. TILTON
 Glenn F. Tilton
Director of Abbott Laboratories
 
 

84


 ABBOTT LABORATORIES AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(in thousands of dollars)

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts
  Balance
at Beginning
of Year 		  Provisions/
Charges
to Income 		  Amounts
Charged Off
Net of
Recoveries 		  Balance at
End of Year 		 

2009

   $ 263,632   $ 75,703   $ (27,789 ) $ 311,546  

2008

   $ 258,288   $ 20,057   $ (14,713 ) $ 263,632  

2007

     215,443     70,893     (28,048 )   258,288  

85


 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Abbott Laboratories:

        We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Abbott Laboratories and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of and for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, and the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, and have issued our reports thereon dated February 19, 2010, which report relating to the consolidated financial statements expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company's adoption of a new accounting standard in 2009; such reports are included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Our audits also included the consolidated financial statement schedule of the Company listed in Item 15. This consolidated financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. In our opinion, such consolidated financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Chicago, Illinois
February 19, 2010

86


 EXHIBIT INDEX
ABBOTT LABORATORIES
ANNUAL REPORT
FORM 10-K
2009

        Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 are furnished herewith and should not be deemed to be "filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934."

10-K
Exhibit
Table
Item No. 		   

    2.1  

*Stock and Asset Purchase Agreement among Solvay SA and the other Sellers (as defined in the Agreement) and Abbott Laboratories and the other Buyers (as defined in the Agreement), dated as of September 26, 2009, filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Abbott Laboratories Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.

   
2.2		  

*Amendment No. 1, dated February 15, 2010, to Stock and Asset Purchase Agreement among Solvay SA and the other Sellers (as defined in the Agreement) and Abbott Laboratories and the other Buyers (as defined in the Agreement), dated as of September 26, 2009, filed as Exhibit 2.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 15, 2010.

   
2.3		  

*Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 11, 2009, by and among Abbott Laboratories, Rainforest Acquisition Inc. and Advanced Medical Optics, Inc., filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 11, 2009.

   
3.1		  

*Articles of Incorporation, Abbott Laboratories, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Abbott Laboratories Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1998.

   
3.2		  

*Corporate By-Laws of Abbott Laboratories, as amended and restated effective as of February 20, 2009, filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 20, 2009.

   
3.3		  

*Corporate By-Laws of Abbott Laboratories, as amended and restated effective as of April 24, 2009, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 20, 2009.

   
4.1		  

*Indenture dated as of February 9, 2001, between Abbott Laboratories and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association, successor to Bank One Trust Company, N.A.) (including form of Security), filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Abbott Laboratories Registration Statement on Form S-3 dated February 12, 2001.

   
4.2		  

*Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 27, 2006, between Abbott Laboratories and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association), filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Registration Statement on Form S-3 dated February 28, 2006.

   
4.3		  

*Form of 3.5% Note, filed as Exhibit 4.29 to the 2003 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.

   
4.4		  

*Actions of Authorized Officers with Respect to Abbott's 3.5% Notes, filed as Exhibit 4.30 to the 2003 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.

87

10-K
Exhibit
Table
Item No. 		   

    4.5  

*Officers' Certificate and Company Order with respect to Abbott's 3.5% Notes, filed as Exhibit 4.31 to the 2003 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.

   
4.6		  

*Form of 3.75% Note, filed as Exhibit 4.28 to the 2004 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.

   
4.7		  

*Form of 4.35% Note, filed as Exhibit 4.29 to the 2004 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.

   
4.8		  

*Actions of Authorized Officers with respect to Abbott's 3.75% Notes and 4.35% Notes, filed as Exhibit 4.30 to the 2004 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.

   
4.9		  

*Officers' Certificate and Company Order with respect to Abbott's 3.75% Notes and 4.35% Notes, filed as Exhibit 4.31 to the 2004 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.

   
4.10		  

*Form of 5.375% Note, filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 9, 2006.

   
4.11		  

*Form of 5.600% Note, filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 9, 2006.

   
4.12		  

*Form of 5.875% Note, filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 9, 2006.

   
4.13		  

*Actions of the Authorized Officers with respect to Abbott's 5.375% Notes, 5.600% Notes and 5.875% Notes, filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 9, 2006.

   
4.14		  

*Officers' Certificate and Company Order with respect to Abbott's 5.375% Notes, 5.600% Notes and 5.875% Notes, filed as Exhibit 4.25 to the 2006 Abbott Laboratories Report on Form 10-K.

   
4.15		  

*Form of $1,000,000,000 5.150% Note due 2012, filed as Exhibit 99.4 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 6, 2007.

   
4.16		  

*Form of $1,500,000,000 5.600% Note due 2017, filed as Exhibit 99.5 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 6, 2007.

   
4.17		  

*Form of $1,000,000,000 6.150% Note due 2037, filed as Exhibit 99.6 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 6, 2007.

   
4.18		  

*Actions of the Authorized Officers with respect to Abbott's 5.150% Notes due 2012, 5.600% Notes due 2017 and 6.150% Notes due 2037, filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 6, 2007.

   
4.19		  

*Form of $2,000,000,000 5.125% Note due 2019, filed as Exhibit 99.4 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 26, 2009.

   
4.20		  

*Form of $1,000,000,000 6.000% Note due 2039, filed as Exhibit 99.5 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 26, 2009.

   
4.21		  

*Actions of the Authorized Officers with respect to Abbott's 5.125% Note due 2019 and 6.000% Note due 2039, filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 26, 2009.

88

10-K
Exhibit
Table
Item No. 		   

    4.22  

*Indenture, dated as of June 22, 2004, between AMO and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (relating to the 2.50% Notes), filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 25, 2009.

   
4.23		  

*Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 26, 2009, between AMO and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (relating to the 2.50% Notes), filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 25, 2009.

   
4.24		  

*Indenture, dated as of July 18, 2005, between AMO and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (relating to the 1.375% Notes), filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 25, 2009.

   
4.25		  

*Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 26, 2009, between AMO and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (relating to the 1.375% Notes), filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 25, 2009.

   
4.26		  

*Indenture, dated as of June 13, 2006, between AMO and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (relating to the 3.25% Notes), filed as Exhibit 4.5 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 25, 2009.

   
4.27		  

*Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 15, 2006, between AMO and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (relating to the 3.25% Notes), filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 25, 2009.

   
4.28		  

*Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 26, 2009, between AMO and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (relating to the 3.25% Notes), filed as Exhibit 4.7 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 25, 2009.

       

Other debt instruments are omitted in accordance with Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K. Copies of such agreements will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

   
10.1		  

*Supplemental Plan Abbott Laboratories Extended Disability Plan, filed as an exhibit (pages 50-51) to the 1992 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**

   
10.2		  

*Abbott Laboratories Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended effective January 1, 2008, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the 2008 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**

   
10.3		  

Abbott Laboratories 401(k) Supplemental Plan, as amended and restated.**

   
10.4		  

Abbott Laboratories Supplemental Pension Plan, as amended and restated.**

   
10.5		  

The 1986 Abbott Laboratories Management Incentive Plan, as amended and restated.**

   
10.6		  

*1998 Abbott Laboratories Performance Incentive Plan, as amended effective January 1, 2008, filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the 2008 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**

   
10.7		  

Rules for the 1998 Abbott Laboratories Performance Incentive Plan, as amended and restated.**

   
10.8		  

*The Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program, as amended and restated through the 6th Amendment February 20, 2009, filed as Exhibit 10.11 to the Abbott Laboratories Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009.**

   
10.9		  

*Abbott Laboratories 2009 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit B to the Abbott Laboratories Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A dated March 13, 2009.**

89

10-K
Exhibit
Table
Item No. 		   

    10.10  

Abbott Laboratories Non-Employee Directors' Fee Plan, as amended and restated.**

   
10.11		  

*Form of Non-Employee Director Stock Option Agreement under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program granted on or after February 18, 2005, filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 18, 2005.**

   
10.12		  

*Form of Employee Stock Option Agreement for a Non-Qualified Stock Option granted with an Incentive Stock Option under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 20, 2004.**

   
10.13		  

*Form of Employee Stock Option Agreement for a Non-Qualified Stock Option under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 20, 2004.**

   
10.14		  

*Form of Employee Stock Option Agreement for an Incentive Stock Option granted with a Non-Qualified Stock Option under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 20, 2004.**

   
10.15		  

*Form of Employee Stock Option Agreement for an Incentive Stock Option under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 20, 2004.**

   
10.16		  

*Form of Employee Stock Option Agreement for a Replacement Stock Option under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 20, 2004.**

   
10.17		  

*Form of Employee Restricted Stock Agreement under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 20, 2004.**

   
10.18		  

*Form of Employee Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 20, 2004.**

   
10.19		  

*Form of Non-Employee Director Stock Option Agreement under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 20, 2004.**

   
10.20		  

*Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 10, 2004.**

   
10.21		  

*Form of Employee Stock Option Agreement for a Non-Qualified Stock Option granted with an Incentive Stock Option under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program on or after February 18, 2005, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 18, 2005.**

   
10.22		  

*Form of Employee Stock Option Agreement for a new Non-Qualified Stock Option under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program granted on or after February 18, 2005, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 18, 2005.**

90

10-K
Exhibit
Table
Item No. 		   

    10.23  

*Form of Employee Stock Option Agreement for an Incentive Stock Option granted with a Non-Qualified Stock Option under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program on or after February 18, 2005, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 18, 2005.**

   
10.24		  

*Form of Employee Stock Option Agreement for an Incentive Stock Option under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program granted on or after February 18, 2005, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 18, 2005.**

   
10.25		  

*Form of Employee Restricted Stock Agreement under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 18, 2005.**

   
10.26		  

*Form of Employee Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program, filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 18, 2005.**

   
10.27		  

*Form of Performance Restricted Stock Agreement for an award of performance restricted stock under Section 10 of the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program granted on or after February 17, 2006, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 16, 2006.**

   
10.28		  

*Form of Performance Restricted Stock Agreement for an award of performance restricted stock under Section 11 of the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program granted on or after February 17, 2006, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 16, 2006.**

   
10.29		  

*Form of Performance Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for an award of performance restricted stock units under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program granted on or after February 17, 2006, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 16, 2006.**

   
10.30		  

*Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for an award of non-qualified stock options under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program granted on or after February 17, 2006, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 16, 2006.**

   
10.31		  

*Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for an award of restricted stock units under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program granted on or after February 17, 2006, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 16, 2006.**

   
10.32		  

*Form of Performance Restricted Stock Agreement for an award of performance restricted stock under Section 10 of the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program granted on or after February 16, 2007, filed as Exhibit 10.49 to the 2006 Abbott Laboratories Report on Form 10-K.**

   
10.33		  

*Form of Performance Restricted Stock Agreement for an award of performance restricted stock under Section 11 of the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program granted on or after February 16, 2007, filed as Exhibit 10.50 to the 2006 Abbott Laboratories Report on Form 10-K.**

91

10-K
Exhibit
Table
Item No. 		   

    10.34  

*Form of Performance Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for an award of performance restricted stock units under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program granted on or after February 16, 2007, filed as Exhibit 10.51 to the 2006 Abbott Laboratories Report on Form 10-K.**

   
10.35		  

*Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for an award of restricted stock units under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program granted on or after February 16, 2007, filed as Exhibit 10.52 to the 2006 Abbott Laboratories Report on Form 10-K.**

   
10.36		  

*Form of Performance Restricted Stock Agreement for an award of performance restricted stock under Section 10 of the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program granted on or after February 20, 2009, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on 8-K dated February 20, 2009. **

   
10.37		  

*Form of Performance Restricted Stock Agreement for an award of performance restricted stock under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program granted on or after February 20, 2009, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on 8-K dated February 20, 2009. **

   
10.38		  

*Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for an award of non-qualified stock options under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program granted on or after February 20, 2009, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on 8-K dated February 20, 2009.**

   
10.39		  

*Form of Non-Qualified Replacement Stock Option Agreement for an award of non-qualified replacement stock options under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program granted on or after February 20, 2009, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on 8-K dated February 20, 2009. **

   
10.40		  

*Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for an award of restricted stock under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program granted on or after February 20, 2009 (ratable vesting), filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on 8-K dated February 20, 2009. **

   
10.41		  

*Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for an award of restricted stock under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program granted on or after February 20, 2009 (cliff vesting), filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on 8-K dated February 20, 2009. **

   
10.42		  

*Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for an award of restricted stock units under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program granted on or after February 20, 2009, filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on 8-K dated February 20, 2009. **

   
10.43		  

*Form of Non-Employee Director Non-Qualified Replacement Stock Option Agreement for an award of non-qualified replacement stock options under the Abbott Laboratories 1996 Incentive Stock Program granted on or after February 20, 2009, filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on 8-K dated February 20, 2009. **

   
10.44		  

*Form of Non-Employee Director Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 24, 2009.**

92

10-K
Exhibit
Table
Item No. 		   

    10.45  

*Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 24, 2009.**

   
10.46		  

*Form of Non-Employee Director Non-Qualified Replacement Stock Option Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 24, 2009.**

   
10.47		  

*Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (ratably vested), filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 24, 2009.**

   
10.48		  

*Form of Non-Qualified Replacement Stock Option Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 24, 2009.**

   
10.49		  

*Form of Performance Restricted Stock Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 24, 2009.**

   
10.50		  

*Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (ratably vested), filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 24, 2009.**

   
10.51		  

*Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (cliff vested), filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 24, 2009.**

   
10.52		  

*Form of Performance Restricted Stock Agreement (annual performance based), filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 24, 2009.**

   
10.53		  

*Form of Performance Restricted Stock Agreement (interim performance based), filed as Exhibit 10.11 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 24, 2009.**

   
10.54		  

*Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (cliff vested), filed as Exhibit 10.12 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 24, 2009.**

   
10.55		  

*Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (ratably vested), filed as Exhibit 10.13 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 24, 2009.**

   
10.56		  

*Form of Agreement Regarding Change in Control by and between Abbott Laboratories and its named executive officers (other than Messrs. White and Freyman), filed as Exhibit 10.34 to the 2008 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.**

   
10.57		  

Base Salary of Named Executive Officers.**

   
10.58		  

*Transaction Agreement between Boston Scientific Corporation and Abbott Laboratories, dated as of January 8, 2006, filed as Exhibit 10.28 to the 2005 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.

   
10.59		  

*Amendment No. 1 to Transaction Agreement, dated as of January 16, 2006, between Boston Scientific Corporation and Abbott Laboratories, filed as Exhibit 10.29 to the 2005 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.

   
10.60		  

*Amendment No. 2 to Transaction Agreement, dated as of January 16, 2006, between Boston Scientific Corporation and Abbott Laboratories, filed as Exhibit 10.30 to the 2005 Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K.

93

10-K
Exhibit
Table
Item No. 		   

    10.61  

*Amendment No. 3 to Transaction Agreement, dated as of February 22, 2006, between Boston Scientific Corporation and Abbott Laboratories, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Abbott Laboratories Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006.

   
10.62		  

*Amendment No. 4 to Transaction Agreement, dated as of April 5, 2006, between Boston Scientific Corporation and Abbott Laboratories, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006.

   
10.63		  

*Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2006, between Guidant Corporation and Abbott Laboratories, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Abbott Laboratories Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006.

   
10.64		  

*Amendment to Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2006, between Guidant Corporation and Abbott Laboratories, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006.

   
10.65		  

*Promissory Note, dated April 21, 2006, from BSC International Holding Ltd., filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Abbott Laboratories Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006.

   
10.66		  

*Subscription and Stockholder Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2006, between Boston Scientific Corporation and Abbott Laboratories, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Abbott Laboratories Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006.

   
10.67		  

*Amendment to Subscription and Stockholder Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2006, between Boston Scientific Corporation and Abbott Laboratories, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Abbott Laboratories Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006.

   
10.68		  

*Form of Time Sharing Agreement between Abbott Laboratories, Inc. and M.D. White and T.C. Freyman, filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Abbott Laboratories Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006.**

   
10.69		  

*Support Agreement, dated as of January 11, 2009, by and among ValueAct, Abbott and the Purchaser, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 11, 2009.

   
10.70		  

*Support Agreement, dated as of January 11, 2009, by and among James V. Mazzo, Abbott and the Purchaser, filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the Abbott Laboratories Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 11, 2009.

   
10.71		  

*Amended and Restated Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. 2002 Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended, filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Abbott Laboratories Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated March 20, 2009.**

   
10.72		  

*First Amendment to Amended and Restated Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. 2002 Incentive Compensation Plan, filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Abbott Laboratories Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated March 20, 2009.**

   
10.73		  

*2004 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated, filed as Exhibit 4.5 to the Abbott Laboratories Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated March 20, 2009.**

   
10.74		  

*Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan, filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the Abbott Laboratories Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated March 20, 2009.**

94

10-K
Exhibit
Table
Item No. 		   

    10.75  

*VISX, Incorporated 2001 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan, filed as Exhibit 4.7 to the Abbott Laboratories Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated March 20, 2009.**

   
10.76		  

*VISX, Incorporated 2000 Stock Plan, filed as Exhibit 4.8 to the Abbott Laboratories Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated March 20, 2009.**

   
10.77		  

*VISX, Incorporated 1995 Director Option and Stock Deferral Plan, as amended and restated, filed as Exhibit 4.9 to the Abbott Laboratories Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated March 20, 2009.**

   
10.78		  

*VISX, Incorporated 1995 Stock Plan, as amended, filed as Exhibit 4.10 to the Abbott Laboratories Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated March 20, 2009.**

   
12		  

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

   
21		  

Subsidiaries of Abbott Laboratories.

   
23.1		  

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

   
31.1		  

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Required by Rule 13a-14(a) (17 CFR 240.13a-14(a)).

   
31.2		  

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Required by Rule 13a-14(a) (17 CFR 240.13a-14(a)).

   
32.1		  

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

   
32.2		  

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

   
101		  

The following financial statements and footnotes from the Abbott Laboratories Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 filed on February 19, 2010, formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Statement of Earnings; (ii) Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows; (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheet; and (iv) Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Investment.

        The 2010 Abbott Laboratories Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under separate cover on or about March 15, 2010.

*
Incorporated herein by reference. Commission file number 1-2189.

**
Denotes management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit hereto.

        Abbott will furnish copies of any of the above exhibits to a shareholder upon written request to the Secretary, Abbott Laboratories, 100 Abbott Park Road, Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6400.

95



QuickLinks

PART I
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS
FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELATING TO INDUSTRY SEGMENTS, GEOGRAPHIC AREAS, AND CLASSES OF SIMILAR PRODUCTS
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO ABBOTT'S BUSINESS IN GENERAL
INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS
INTERNET INFORMATION
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
PART II
Financial Review
Financial Instruments and Risk Management
Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statement of Earnings (dollars and shares in thousands except per share data)
Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (dollars in thousands)
Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheet (dollars in thousands)
Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Investment (dollars in thousands except per share data)
Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PART III
PART IV
SIGNATURES
ABBOTT LABORATORIES AND SUBSIDIARIES SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007 (in thousands of dollars)
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
EXHIBIT INDEX ABBOTT LABORATORIES ANNUAL REPORT FORM 10-K 2009