Abbott 2003 Global Citizenship Report - Abbott Laboratories

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Innovation in Medical Products Our medical products businesses compete in distinct markets characterized by rapid technological advancements that require agile responses to evolving market conditions. To better position our businesses in this fast-paced environment, in 2003 we developed an operating model where each business operates independently with full responsibility for performance and growth. Building on our commitment to broad-based health care that is rooted in science, we also completed several targeted acquisitions that will help us to extend the value of advanced medical technology. For more information on Abbott’s strategic alliances and acquisitions in 2003, visit www.abbottdiagnostics.com. Moving forward, we will focus our medical products businesses on key growth areas, including cardiovascular devices used in the treatment of the heart and surrounding arteries; plates, screws and rods used in spinal surgery; nutritional products for people of all ages; point-of-care testing; blood glucose monitoring; immunoassay/clinical chemistry testing; and molecular diagnostics. Philanthropy to Support Innovation The Abbott Laboratories Fund supports a diverse group of organizations engaged in the advancement of medical innovation and the development of future scientists. In 2003, we provided grants to the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education, American Society for Clinical Research and the Life Sciences Research Fellowships. We also support organizations, such as the Foundation for Biomedical Research, which are dedicated to promoting humane and responsible use of animals in medical and scientific research. We work with programs that stimulate early interest in science, math and technology at the middle and high school levels, such as the Center of Science Innovation, Lake Forest College Project Explore, Operation Discovery, Camp Invention and the Keystone Science School. A major focus of these grants is exposing young people from diverse backgrounds to different learning environments. For more information about Abbott’s giving in the area of science innovation, please visit www.abbott.com/citizenship/communities/education.shtml. twenty five innovation
Q&A on Global Diagnostics Research Gerald Schochetman, Ph.D., Director, Infectious Diseases R&D, Abbott Diagnostics Division Q What is your background and role at Abbott? A In Abbott’s diagnostics business, there are two major areas of research and development. One focuses on life sciences, which covers diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer; and another focuses on infectious diseases, which is the area that I lead. Prior to joining Abbott in 1997, I worked for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention where I oversaw the research and diagnostics laboratories in the HIV/AIDS program. Q How do you prioritize your research and address the global nature of infectious diseases? A Our infectious diseases strategy is to identify areas where there are unmet public health needs and major commercial opportunities. A significant part of Abbott’s diagnostics business is to help keep the world’s blood supply safe. We are investing in diagnostics tests for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Chagas’ disease, SARS and the West Nile virus – all debilitating illnesses with a global reach. We live in a global village, and infections are transmitted quickly around the world with the migration of populations. For example, the West Nile virus, which began in Africa, has spread to many parts of the world. It is a growing problem in the United States. According to the CDC, the infection grew from an initial outbreak of 62 reported cases in 1999 to more than 9,000 cases in 2003, including more than 225 deaths. Many more cases go unreported, as only one out of every 150 infected people develop severe symptoms. An estimated half million people in the United States were infected in 2002 with the West Nile virus. We are working with the FDA and other organizations to develop blood-screening tests. We are also developing better tests to screen for Chagas’ disease, which affects 16 million to 18 million people worldwide and for which there is no known treatment in its chronic stages. Q How does Abbott’s diagnostics research contribute to the fight against HIV/AIDS? A Abbott’s HIV Global Surveillance Program, which we established in 1996, is an excellent example of how we are contributing to the scientific knowledge base about HIV. The goal of this program is to characterize the genetic diversity of HIV and to monitor for an emergence of new HIV strains, with a considerable focus on strains found in developing countries. The original HIV assays developed in the 1980s were for the virus strain that is still the most prevalent type of HIV in the United States and Europe, yet it represents only a small percentage of the worldwide HIV infections. Because we market our HIV tests worldwide, we must ensure that our assays can detect any variant of the virus. Through our global surveillance program, we collaborate with local experts and blood banks in Africa, Asia and Latin America to collect samples, following clinical standards and informed consent requirements in the country of origin. We then challenge our assays and also evaluate our competitors’ assays. This program has aided the development of diagnostics and patient monitoring assays that perform to a high standard in all environments. Each year, our scientists publish papers and share our results at scientific conferences around the world. This way, we are furthering scientific understanding and raising standards for all diagnostics tests. Q Determine HIV is a rapid test that Abbott is making available to the developing world. What were the drivers for creating Determine HIV? A We identified a compelling need in developing countries for a rugged, reliable and high-quality test to detect HIV. This product is a simple, yet high-quality assay that delivers accurate results. Patients can know the results of their test within a few minutes. This enables the health professional to begin the appropriate course of care immediately, without requiring the patient to return days later for the results, which is extremely difficult in remote areas where people must walk miles to get to a health clinic. Now, any field hospital or remote village medical unit – even in areas without access to refrigeration, electricity or clean water – can quickly test for HIV. The technology behind Determine is filling a need and making a difference in the developing world. innovation twenty-seven
Page 1 and 2: 2003 Global Citizenship Report Touc
Page 3 and 4: Table of Contents Message From the
Page 5 and 6: usinesses serving higher-growth mar
Page 7 and 8: What We Do Founded in 1888, Abbott
Page 9 and 10: We recognize that citizenship is an
Page 11 and 12: Q&A on Business Ethics Patricia Wer
Page 13 and 14: Update on Ethics and Compliance Lea
Page 15 and 16: Working With Suppliers In 2003, Abb
Page 17 and 18: Q&A on Citizenship in the Supply Ch
Page 19 and 20: Discussion of Key Issues Following
Page 21 and 22: Product Access Programs United Stat
Page 23 and 24: Step Forward Spotlight: Improving A
Page 25 and 26: Global Pharmaceutical Strategy In 2
Page 27: Intellectual Property Some stakehol
Page 31 and 32: Diversity and Inclusion in the Work
Page 33 and 34: Diversity programs such as these su
Page 35 and 36: Retirees Our global citizenship str
Page 37 and 38: EHS Policy Abbott’s Environmental
Page 39 and 40: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Abbott ado
Page 41 and 42: EHS Compliance Abbott has a number
Page 43 and 44: Ergonomics Incorporating ergonomics
Page 45 and 46: Q&A on the Commercial EHS Executive
Page 47 and 48: Conservation Highlights of Abbott
Page 49 and 50: Data Summary Table % change Air Emi
Page 52: Please contact us with your questio

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