Abbott Reports 15.5 Percent Sales Growth in First Quarter

- Double-Digit Sales Growth in Both Pharmaceuticals and Medical Products -

Abbott Reports 15.5 Percent Sales Growth in First Quarter

ABBOTT PARK, Ill., April 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2007.

  -- Abbott's diluted earnings per share, excluding specified items, were
     $0.55, including results from Discontinued Operations, ahead of
     Abbott's previously announced guidance range of $0.51 to $0.53, which
     also included Discontinued Operations. Higher TAP joint venture income,
     resulting from a favorable outcome in a patent dispute, impacted
     earnings per share by $0.02. Abbott is raising its full-year ongoing
     earnings-per-share guidance. Diluted earnings per share under Generally
     Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) were $0.45.

  -- Worldwide sales increased 15.5 percent to $5.3 billion, including the
     impact of acquisitions and a favorable 2.5 percent effect of exchange
     rates.

  -- Worldwide pharmaceutical sales increased 16.6 percent, including U.S.
     sales growth of 16.8 percent, driven by strong growth in HUMIRA, as
     well as the first full quarter of sales from the Kos Pharmaceuticals
     acquisition. International pharmaceutical sales increased 16.4 percent,
     including the impact of exchange, led by double-digit growth of
     Kaletra(R) and more than 60 percent growth of HUMIRA. Abbott continues
     to expect 2007 global sales of HUMIRA to exceed $2.7 billion.

  -- Medical Products sales increased 13.9 percent, including $420 million
     from Abbott Vascular and double-digit growth in International
     Nutritionals and Abbott Molecular. In March, Abbott presented U.S.
     clinical trial data on its XIENCE(TM) V drug-eluting stent system and
     remains on track to file for U.S. regulatory approval in the second
     quarter of this year.


"Our businesses continue to perform well and our outlook remains strong," said Miles D. White, chairman and chief executive officer, Abbott. "Our late- stage pipeline is generating significant opportunities across our diverse portfolio, giving us great confidence in our future."

The following is a summary of first-quarter 2007 sales for each of Abbott's major operating divisions.

                                                                Impact of
  Sales Summary -                           1Q07    % Change   Exchange on
   Quarter Ended 3/31/07              ($ millions)  vs. 1Q06    % Change


  Total Sales                              $5,290       15.5        2.5

    Total U.S. Sales                       $2,763       10.3        ---

    Total International Sales              $2,527       21.8        5.5

  Worldwide Pharmaceutical Sales           $3,373       16.6        2.8

    U.S. Pharmaceuticals                   $1,692       16.8        ---

    International Pharmaceuticals (AI)     $1,681       16.4        5.6

  Worldwide Nutritional Sales              $1,002      (12.3)(a)    1.0

    U.S. Nutritionals (Ross)                 $565      (25.3)(a)    ---

    International Nutritionals (ANI)         $437       13.4        2.9

  Worldwide Vascular Sales                   $420      407.9 (b)    2.7

     U.S. Vascular                           $244      360.2 (b)    ---

     International Vascular                  $176      492.9 (b)    7.4


  (a)  Reflects completion of U.S. co-promotion of Synagis in 2006.
       Excluding this impact, U.S. Nutritionals increased 6.0 percent and
       Worldwide Nutritionals increased 9.1 percent.

  (b)  Includes the impact of the Guidant vascular acquisition.

  Note:  See "Consolidated Statement of Earnings" for more information.


The following is a summary of Abbott's first-quarter 2007 sales for selected products.

  Quarter Ended 3/31/07          Percent          Percent           Percent
  (dollars in millions)    U.S.   Change  Rest of  Change   Global   Change
                          Sales  vs. 1Q06  World  vs. 1Q06   Sales  vs. 1Q06
  Pharmaceutical Products
  HUMIRA                   $289    32.4     $282   62.2 (a)   $571    45.6
  Depakote                 $305    33.4      $21   22.2       $326    32.6
  Kaletra                  $117    (2.4)    $183   14.5 (b)   $300     7.2
  Biaxin (clarithromycin)    $7   (85.2)    $217    9.5 (c)   $224    (9.9)
  TriCor                   $223     8.7      ---    ---       $223     8.7
  Ultane/Sevorane           $48   (41.3)    $126    0.7 (d)   $174   (16.0)
  Omnicef                  $161    12.5      ---    ---       $161    12.5
  Niaspan                  $142     n/a      ---    ---       $142     n/a
  Synthroid                $112     0.5      $17   14.6       $129     2.2

  Nutritional Products
  Pediatric Nutritionals   $292     7.1     $235   17.9       $527    11.6
  Adult Nutritionals       $261     2.8     $201    8.6 (e)   $462     5.3

  Medical Products
  Abbott Diabetes Care     $131    (5.8)    $154   14.5 (f)   $285     4.1
  Coronary Stents           $85     n/m      $75    n/m       $160     n/m
  Other Coronary            $90     n/m      $72    n/m       $162     n/m
  Endovascular              $69    76.9      $29  107.1        $98    84.9

  TAP Pharmaceutical Products
   (not consolidated in
   Abbott's sales)
  Prevacid                 $573    (7.1)     ---    ---       $573    (7.1)
  Lupron                   $165    (1.8)     ---    ---       $165    (1.8)


  (a) Without the positive impact of exchange of 13.0 percent, HUMIRA sales
      increased 49.2 percent internationally.
  (b) Without the positive impact of exchange of 6.8 percent, Kaletra sales
      increased 7.7 percent internationally.
  (c) Without the positive impact of exchange of 4.7 percent, clarithromycin
      sales increased 4.8 percent internationally.
  (d) Without the positive impact of exchange of 4.7 percent, Sevorane sales
      decreased 4.0 percent internationally.
  (e) Without the positive impact of exchange of 3.8 percent, Adult
      Nutritionals sales increased 4.8 percent internationally.
  (f) Without the positive impact of exchange of 7.6 percent, Abbott
      Diabetes Care sales increased 6.9 percent internationally.

  n/a = Percent change is not applicable due to the acquisition of Niaspan
        in the fourth-quarter 2006.
  n/m = Percent change is not meaningful.


  Business Highlights

  -- Global Regulatory Submission for HUMIRA(R) in Psoriasis - Abbott
     recently submitted HUMIRA for U.S. and European regulatory approval to
     treat psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the skin.
     During the quarter, Abbott presented new Phase III psoriasis data that
     demonstrated that nearly three out of four psoriasis patients
     experienced a significant reduction in disease signs when treated with
     HUMIRA. The study also showed that patients are significantly less
     likely to have their disease signs worsen if they maintain treatment
     with HUMIRA. These data are consistent with results from an earlier
     Phase III trial presented in 2006. Both of these studies formed the
     basis of the global submissions.

  -- HUMIRA Crohn's Disease Approval and Launch - Abbott received U.S. Food
     and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for HUMIRA to treat Crohn's
     disease, the fourth disease state indication for HUMIRA. Crohn's
     disease is a serious chronic, inflammatory disease of the
     gastrointestinal tract with onset typically before age 40. Abbott also
     expects European regulatory approval for Crohn's disease in the second
     quarter of 2007.

  -- Biologics Manufacturing Plant in Puerto Rico - In April, Abbott
     announced the official opening of its new state-of-the-art biologics
     manufacturing facility in Puerto Rico to support the long-term supply
     of HUMIRA and other future biologics. The new facility received FDA
     approval in February to produce HUMIRA.

  -- XIENCE(TM) V SPIRIT Data - In March, Abbott presented data from its
     U.S. pivotal drug-eluting stent trial, SPIRIT III, demonstrating
     superiority of its XIENCE V everolimus-eluting stent system over the
     TAXUS(R) paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent system with respect to the
     study's primary endpoint of in-segment late loss and a secondary
     endpoint of reduction in major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after nine
     months. This was the first time that superiority for MACE was
     demonstrated in a head-to-head trial of two drug-eluting stents. Abbott
     also presented one-year data from its SPIRIT II European trial, which
     also demonstrated superiority to TAXUS in MACE.

  -- Bioabsorbable Stent Data - Abbott presented six-month clinical
     follow-up data from ABSORB, the world's first clinical trial of a fully
     bioabsorbable drug-eluting coronary stent system. Results from the
     first 30 patients in the study demonstrated an encouraging efficacy and
     safety profile, with no stent thrombosis and a low MACE rate.

  -- New Niaspan(R) Tablet Approval - In April, Abbott received FDA approval
     of a new film-coated Niaspan extended-release prescription tablet.
     Niaspan is the most widely prescribed therapy for raising HDL or "good"
     cholesterol and is the most effective drug to raise HDL with proven
     outcomes of 25 to 35 percent on average.

  -- Divestiture of Core Laboratory Diagnostics Business - On January 18,
     2007, Abbott announced an agreement to divest its core laboratory
     diagnostics business, including the Abbott Diagnostics Division and
     Abbott Point of Care, to General Electric for $8.13 billion in cash.
     The transaction has received U.S. Federal Trade Commission approval and
     is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory
     approvals.

  -- Launch of FreeStyle Lite(TM) System - In April, Abbott received FDA
     clearance to market the FreeStyle Lite blood glucose monitoring system.
     The newest offering in the FreeStyle(R) product line features no
     required coding and automatic calibration, manual steps needed by most
     meters prior to using a new vial of test strips. This system provides
     results in an average of five seconds using the world's smallest blood
     sample size.

  -- Increase in Quarterly Dividend - In February, the Board of Directors
     approved a 10.2 percent increase in Abbott's quarterly dividend to
     32.5 cents per share. This is the 35th consecutive year that Abbott has
     increased its quarterly dividend payout.


   Abbott raises full-year earnings-per-share guidance

Abbott is raising its earnings-per-share guidance, excluding specified items, for the full-year 2007 to $2.79 to $2.85, as a result of the higher than expected TAP joint venture income this quarter. Abbott is confirming guidance for the second quarter of $0.67 to $0.69 per share, as previously forecasted, also excluding specified items. Guidance for the full year and second quarter reflects the announced sale of Abbott's core laboratory diagnostics business and includes both the results of this business while owned by Abbott and the redeployment of proceeds after closing the transaction. This guidance also reflects a lower tax rate than previously forecasted and a more conservative financial planning assumption for Omnicef. See Q&A Answer 10 for additional information.

Abbott forecasts a net gain from specified items for the full-year 2007 of $1.97 per share, which includes a projected gain of approximately $2.25 per share related to the sale of the core laboratory diagnostics business offset by charges of $0.28 per share, primarily associated with acquisition integration, cost reduction initiatives and a fair value adjustment to Boston Scientific stock and related gain-sharing aspect of the stock purchase (See Q&A Answer 7). Including these net specified items, projected earnings per share under GAAP would be $4.76 to $4.82 for the full-year 2007. The impact of the gain on sale will be reflected in the quarter in which closing occurs.

Abbott forecasts specified items, other than the projected gain on the sale of the core laboratory diagnostics business, for the second-quarter 2007 of approximately $0.09 per share, as previously forecasted, primarily associated with acquisition integration and cost reduction initiatives. Including these specified items, projected earnings per share under GAAP would be $0.58 to $0.60 for the second-quarter 2007.

These forecasts exclude any one-time costs associated with the sale of the core laboratory diagnostics business, which will be provided at a later date.

Abbott declares quarterly dividend

On February 16, 2007, the board of directors of Abbott increased the company's quarterly common dividend to 32.5 cents per share, an increase of 10.2 percent. The cash dividend is payable May 15, 2007, to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 13, 2007. This marks the 35th consecutive year that Abbott has increased its dividend payout and the 333rd consecutive dividend paid by Abbott since 1924.

About Abbott

Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs 65,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.

Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's Web site at http://www.abbott.com/ . Abbott will webcast its live first-quarter earnings conference call through its Investor Relations Web site at http://www.abbottinvestor.com/ at 8 a.m. Central time today. An archived edition of the call will be available after 11 a.m. Central time.

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

Some statements in this news release may be forward-looking statements for the purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated. Economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect Abbott's operations are discussed in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," to our Annual Report on Securities and Exchange Commission Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2006, and are incorporated by reference. We undertake no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments.

                   Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries
                    Consolidated Statement of Earnings
               First Quarter Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006
                               (unaudited)
                                                             Percent
                               2007            2006           Change

  Net Sales               $5,290,284,000  $4,580,465,000       15.5
  Cost of products sold    2,176,695,000   1,759,583,000       23.7
  Research and
   development               578,374,000     438,579,000       31.9
  Selling, general and
   administrative          1,657,030,000   1,339,542,000       23.7
  Total Operating Cost
   and Expenses            4,412,099,000   3,537,704,000       24.7

  Operating earnings         878,185,000   1,042,761,000      (15.8)

  Net interest expense       124,514,000      34,948,000      256.3
  Net foreign exchange
   (gain) loss                 4,851,000        (810,000)       n/m
  (Income) from TAP
   Pharmaceutical
   Products Inc. joint
   venture                  (146,632,000)   (101,311,000)      44.7
  Other (income) expense,
   net                       124,461,000      (3,435,000)       n/m   a)
  Earnings from Continuing
   Operations Before Taxes   770,991,000   1,113,369,000      (30.8)
  Taxes on earnings from
   Continuing Operations     129,542,000     264,809,000      (51.1)

  Earnings from Continuing
   Operations                641,449,000     848,560,000      (24.4)
  Earnings from Discontinued
   Operations, net of taxes   56,088,000      16,323,000        n/m   b)

  Net Earnings              $697,537,000    $864,883,000      (19.3)

  Earnings from Continuing
   Operations Excluding
   Specified Items, as
   described below          $828,578,000    $865,951,000       (4.3)  c)
  Earnings from Discontinued
   Operations Excluding
   Specified Items, as
   described below            25,529,000      16,323,000       56.4   b) d)

  Diluted Earnings Per Common
   Share from:
    Continuing Operations          $0.41           $0.55      (25.5)
    Discontinued Operations        $0.04           $0.01        n/m   b) d)
    Total                          $0.45           $0.56      (19.6)

  Diluted Earnings Per Common
   Share, Excluding Specified
   Items described below, from:
    Continuing Operations          $0.53           $0.56       (5.4)  c)
    Discontinued Operations        $0.02           $0.01        n/m   b)  d)
    Total                          $0.55           $0.57       (3.5)

  Average Number of Common
   Shares Outstanding Plus
   Dilutive Common Stock
   Options and Awards      1,558,234,000   1,537,695,000


  a) Other (income) expense, net in 2007 is primarily related to a fair
     value adjustment of Abbott's investment in Boston Scientific (BSX)
     stock partially offset by the fair value adjustment for the related
     gain-sharing aspect of the BSX stock purchase (See Q&A Answer 7).

  b) Earnings from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes and Diluted
     Earnings Per Common Share from Discontinued Operations, Excluding
     Specified Items, reflect the reclassification of results of the core
     laboratory diagnostics business to Discontinued Operations. (See Q&A
     Answer 1 for additional detail.)

  c) 2007 Earnings from Continuing Operations Excluding Specified Items
     excludes after-tax charges of $57 million, or $0.04 per share, for
     acquisition integration, $75 million, or $0.05 per share, related to
     fair value adjustments of Abbott's investment in Boston Scientific
     stock and related gain-sharing aspect, and $55 million, or $0.03 per
     share, for cost reduction initiatives and other.

     2006 Earnings from Continuing Operations Excluding Specified Items
     excludes after-tax charges of $17 million, or $0.01 per share,
     primarily related to cost reduction and integration activities.

  d) 2007 Earnings from Discontinued Operations Excluding Specified Items
     excludes $30 million, or $0.02 per share after-tax benefit of suspended
     depreciation and amortization of the long-term assets of discontinued
     operations.

  NOTE: See attached questions and answers section for further explanation
  of Consolidated Statement of Earnings line items.

  n/m = Percent change is not meaningful.



                           Questions & Answers

  Q1) How are the results of the core laboratory diagnostics business being
      reported?

  A1) In accordance with GAAP, financial results from the core laboratory
      diagnostics business have been excluded from Continuing Operations and
      are reported as Discontinued Operations as a result of the pending
      divestiture by Abbott. Beginning this quarter, the comparable
      prior-year quarter also reflects this reporting. As a result, the line
      items of the Consolidated Statement of Earnings reflect Continuing
      Operations and are on a comparable basis for 2006 and 2007. See Q&A
      Answer 13 for additional information on the impact of the pending
      divestiture on prior year's sales results.


  Q2) What drove double-digit medical products sales growth?

  A2) Medical Products sales growth of 13.9 percent was led by Abbott
      Vascular, which achieved sales of $420 million, up significantly from
      the prior year, including the contribution from the Guidant
      acquisition. Strong performance in Abbott Vascular was driven by
      international sales of the XIENCE V drug-eluting stent, as well as
      continued growth in bare metal stents. Continued double-digit sales
      growth in International Nutritionals and Abbott Molecular contributed
      to the strong performance in the quarter. Partially offsetting this
      growth was an expected decline in U.S. nutritional sales, consistent
      with previous forecasts and reflecting the completion of the
      co-promotion of Synagis in the U.S. during 2006.


  Q3) What drove double-digit pharmaceutical sales growth?

  A3) U.S. pharmaceutical sales growth of 16.8 percent included the
      contribution from the Kos Pharmaceuticals acquisition, completed in
      December 2006. In addition to Kos, growth was led by HUMIRA, which
      increased more than 32 percent in the United States. HUMIRA
      prescription trends are strong, with growth of more than 40 percent
      compared to the prior year. HUMIRA continued to gain market share in
      both the rheumatology and dermatology self-injectable biologics
      markets. In the quarter, Abbott received FDA approval for HUMIRA in
      Crohn's disease, and recently submitted its global regulatory filing
      for the treatment of psoriasis. Abbott continues to expect 2007 global
      sales of HUMIRA to exceed $2.7 billion. Double-digit growth of
      Depakote and Omnicef also contributed to U.S. sales growth in the
      quarter.

      Sales of Abbott's international pharmaceuticals increased 16.4 percent
      during the quarter, including a 5.6 percent favorable impact from
      exchange. International growth was favorably impacted by the continued
      strength of HUMIRA, with sales up more than 60 percent and
      double-digit growth of Kaletra based on the continued strength of the
      international launch of Kaletra tablets.


  Q4) What drove the strong double-digit increase in R&D and SG&A this
      quarter?

  A4) The strong investment spending this quarter supported a number of
      future growth initiatives across Abbott's businesses.

      On a reported basis, R&D investment increased more than 30 percent
      this quarter, including specified items and the impact from the
      Guidant and Kos acquisitions. Strong growth reflects continuing
      investment in our pharmaceutical and medical products pipelines,
      including HUMIRA, ABT-335, ABT-874, controlled-release Vicodin and
      XIENCE V.

      Reported SG&A expense increased almost 24 percent this quarter, also
      including specified items and the impact from the Guidant and Kos
      acquisitions. Strong growth was driven by new and ongoing promotional
      initiatives, including new indications for HUMIRA and the continuing
      international launch of XIENCE V.


  Q5) How does the first-quarter gross margin profile compare to the prior
      year?

  A5) The gross margin from Continuing Operations before and after specified
      items is shown below (dollars in millions):


                                   1Q07                     1Q06
                       Cost of           Gross   Cost of           Gross
                      Products   Gross   Margin Products   Gross   Margin
                         Sold    Margin     %      Sold    Margin     %
  As reported           $2,176   $3,114   58.9%   $1,760   $2,821   61.6%
  Adjust for specified
   items:
    Acquisition
     integration          ($23)     $23    0.4%        -        -       -
    Cost reduction
     initiatives
     and other            ($56)     $56    1.1%     ($11)     $11    0.2%
  As adjusted           $2,097   $3,193   60.4%   $1,749   $2,832   61.8%


      The first-quarter 2007 gross margin ratio was consistent with guidance
      provided last quarter. We are forecasting steady improvement in the
      gross margin ratio throughout the year. The comparison to the prior
      year has been impacted by the expected reduction in the contribution
      from Synagis in the United States this quarter, as well as generic
      competition for Biaxin XL in the United States.  As a reminder, U.S.
      co-promotion for Synagis ended in 2006.


  Q6) Why did Net Interest Expense increase from the prior year?

  A6) Net Interest Expense increased over the prior year primarily as a
      result of debt related to the Guidant vascular and Kos Pharmaceuticals
      acquisitions.


  Q7) How did specified items affect reported results from Continuing
      Operations?

  A7) Specified items impacted first-quarter Earnings from Continuing
      Operations as follows (dollars in millions, except earnings-per-share
      data):


                                           1Q07                 1Q06
                                       Earnings            Earnings
                                     Pre-  After-        Pre-   After-
                                      tax   tax   EPS     tax    tax   EPS
  As reported, Continuing
   Operations                        $771  $641  $0.41  $1,113  $849  $0.55
  Adjusted for specified items:
    Acquisition integration           $71   $57  $0.04       -     -      -
    Fair value adjustment for BSX
     stock and related gain-sharing
     aspect                          $124   $75  $0.05       -     -      -
    Cost reduction initiatives and
     other                            $70   $55  $0.03     $23   $17  $0.01
  As adjusted, Continuing
   Operations                      $1,036  $828  $0.53  $1,136  $866  $0.56


      The first-quarter 2007 specified items below are primarily related to
      integration costs associated with 2006 acquisitions and continuing
      cost reduction initiatives in global manufacturing operations, all as
      previously forecasted; and a fair value adjustment for the Boston
      Scientific (BSX) stock and related gain-sharing aspect of the BSX
      stock purchase. In accordance with a newly issued accounting standard,
      SFAS 159, Abbott's investment in BSX stock is being accounted for at
      fair value. The unrealized loss, or decline in value of BSX stock
      prior to January 1, 2007, remains in retained earnings. Subsequent
      changes to the fair value of the BSX investment are required to be
      reflected in the income statement, which will be tracked as a
      specified item, along with any related realized gains/losses on
      disposition of this stock. As a result, at the end of the
      first-quarter 2007, Abbott adjusted its 64.6 million BSX shares to a
      fair value of approximately $14 per share. As a reminder, Abbott is
      required to dispose of these shares by October 21, 2008.

      The pre-tax impact of the specified items by Consolidated Statement of
      Earnings line item is as follows (dollars in millions):


                                                       1Q07
                                         Cost of                    Other
                                         Products                  (Income)/
                                           Sold     R&D      SG&A   Expense
  As reported, Continuing Operations      $2,176    $579    $1,657    $124
  Adjusted for specified items:
    Acquisition integration                  $23      $4       $44       -
    Fair value adjustment for BSX stock
     and related gain-sharing aspect           -       -         -    $124
    Cost reduction initiatives and other     $56       -       $14       -
  As adjusted, Continuing Operations      $2,097    $575    $1,599     $ -


  Q8) How did specified items affect reported results for Discontinued
      Operations?

  A8) Specified items impacted first-quarter earnings from Discontinued
      Operations, net of taxes, as follows (dollars in millions, except
      earnings-per-share data):

                                              1Q07             1Q06
                                        Earnings         Earnings
                                         After-           After-
                                           Tax      EPS     Tax      EPS
  As reported, Discontinued Operations     $56    $0.04     $16    $0.01
  Adjusted for specified items:
    Suspension of depreciation and
     amortization                          $30    $0.02       -        -
  As adjusted, Discontinued Operations     $26    $0.02     $16    $0.01


      The suspension of depreciation and amortization in Discontinued
      Operations reflects the fact that, under GAAP (SFAS 144), once an
      agreement to divest a business has been reached, depreciation and
      amortization expense on the related long-term assets is suspended.
      This benefit has been reflected as a specified item to better reflect
      the underlying results of this business.


  Q9) What was the tax rate in the quarter?

  A9) The tax rate for continuing operations this quarter, excluding
      specified items, was 20.0 percent, lower than our previous forecast.
      The tax rate this quarter reflects favorable trends in the mix of
      income across the various tax jurisdictions. We expect to sustain this
      lower tax rate throughout 2007 and going forward. The reported tax
      rate is reconciled to the ongoing rate below (dollars in millions):


                                                        1Q07
                                             Pre-tax     Income       Tax
                                             Income        Tax        Rate
  As reported, Continuing Operations           $771       $129       16.8%
    Acquisition integration                     $71        $14       20.0%
    Fair value adjustment for BSX stock
     and related gain-sharing aspect           $124        $49       39.8%
    Cost reduction initiatives and other        $70        $15       20.0%
  Continuing Operations, excluding
   specified items                           $1,036       $207       20.0%


  Q10) How does the lower 2007 tax rate affect 2007 earnings-per-share
       guidance?

  A10) As indicated above, the lower tax rate is expected to be sustainable
       in 2007 and going forward. Abbott is now assuming this rate in its
       increased full-year earnings-per-share guidance, but is now also
       reflecting a more conservative financial planning assumption for
       Omnicef in its forecasts for 2007 and beyond. If sales of Omnicef
       exceed assumptions in the current forecasts, this would provide
       either additional spending capacity or the potential for additional
       earnings.


  Q11) What are some near-term opportunities in Abbott's broad-based
       pipeline?

  A11) Abbott is making significant progress across a number of late-stage
       programs in its broad-based pipeline, including:

       -- HUMIRA
          - Crohn's disease - On February 27, Abbott received U.S. FDA
            approval, with European approval expected in the second-quarter
            2007.
          - Psoriasis - On April 2, Abbott announced its submission for
            global regulatory approval.
          - Juvenile RA - Abbott plans to submit for regulatory approval in
            the second-quarter 2007.
          - Ulcerative colitis - Entered into Phase III development in 2006.

       -- XIENCE V Drug-eluting Stent - Abbott expects to submit XIENCE V
          for U.S. approval in the second quarter of 2007, on track for a
          U.S. launch in the first half of 2008. As a reminder, XIENCE V was
          launched in Europe and Asia in 2006. Abbott has additional
          next-generation drug-eluting stents in development, including a
          bioabsorbable drug-eluting stent.

       -- Controlled-release Vicodin - Abbott is developing a
          controlled-release form of its pain brand, Vicodin, which is
          currently in Phase III development. Abbott plans to submit for
          regulatory approval in the second half of 2007.

       -- New Coated Niaspan Tablet - In April, Abbott received U.S. FDA
          approval for the new coated Niaspan tablet, a leading therapy for
          raising HDL cholesterol.

       -- Simcor - Abbott expects to file for regulatory approval of Simcor,
          a combination therapy to address both HDL and LDL cholesterol, in
          the second quarter.

       -- ABT-335 - Abbott's next-generation fenofibrate is currently in
          Phase III development both as a stand-alone therapy and in
          combination with CRESTOR. Regulatory submission for the
          stand-alone therapy is expected in the second half of 2007.

       -- ABT-335 or TriCor/CRESTOR - Abbott's combination therapy of TriCor
          or ABT-335 with CRESTOR is in Phase III development. This
          single-pill combination therapy will address all three lipid
          parameters: HDL, LDL and triglycerides.

       -- ABT-874 - In immunology, Abbott's anti-IL 12/23 biologic, ABT-874,
          has demonstrated promising results in early studies for Crohn's
          disease and psoriasis and will enter Phase III development for
          psoriasis later this year.

       -- Diabetes Care Pipeline - On April 16, Abbott received U.S. FDA
          approval for the FreeStyle Lite blood glucose monitor that
          improves convenience for people with diabetes. Abbott's FreeStyle
          Navigator Continuous Glucose Monitoring System remains under
          active U.S. FDA review. Beyond the FreeStyle Navigator, a fully
          integrated blood glucose monitoring system combining a meter, test
          strips and lancing capabilities in one device is also in
          development. Abbott continues to update and refresh its FreeStyle
          and Precision product lines.

       -- m2000 Molecular Diagnostics System - Abbott expects to receive
          U.S. FDA approval for the m2000 automated instrument system as
          well as the RealTime HIV-1 viral load test in the second quarter
          of this year. The real-time PCR hepatitis B assay was recently
          approved in Europe, expanding the m2000 system's growing menu of
          tests and completing the menu for infectious disease assays in
          Europe.


  Q12) What contributed to TAP joint venture income this quarter?

  A12) Income from the TAP joint venture of $147 million was above previous
       forecasts due largely to a favorable outcome reached this quarter in
       a Lupron patent dispute. This contributed $0.02 per share to earnings
       this quarter. As a result, Abbott is raising its ongoing
       earnings-per-share guidance for the full-year 2007.


  Q13) How does the announced divestiture of the core laboratory diagnostics
       business impact total sales reported in 2006?

  A13) The following schedule details Abbott's total sales as they were
       reported in 2006, details the business to be divested, and provides
       the resulting total sales from Continuing Operations (dollars in
        millions):

                                        As
                                  Previously   Discontinued   Continuing
  1Q06                              Reported    Operations    Operations
  Total Sales                         $5,183       $603        $4,580
    U.S. Sales                        $2,674       $169        $2,505
    International Sales               $2,509       $434        $2,075

  2Q06
  Total Sales                         $5,501       $666        $4,835
    U.S. Sales                        $2,750       $173        $2,577
    International Sales               $2,751       $493        $2,258

  3Q06
  Total Sales                         $5,574       $670        $4,904
    U.S. Sales                        $2,846       $179        $2,667
    International Sales               $2,728       $491        $2,237

  4Q06
  Total Sales                         $6,218       $704        $5,514
    U.S. Sales                        $3,264       $182        $3,082
    International Sales               $2,954       $522        $2,432

  Full-Year 2006
  Total Sales                        $22,476     $2,643       $19,833
    U.S. Sales                       $11,534       $703       $10,831
    International Sales              $10,942     $1,940        $9,002
Website: http://www.abbott.com/



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