HSP

-- Company receives best possible marks on scorecard for policies supporting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) employees -- LAKE FOREST, Ill., Sept. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hospira, Inc. (NYSE:HSP), a leading global hospital products company, today announced that the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) named it one of the "Best Places to Work for GLBT Equality." Hospira earned the top rating on the HRC's 2006 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a comprehensive measure of inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) employees and consumers in corporate diversity initiatives. "We are extremely honored by this prestigious recognition and are proud of Hospira's commitment to diversity," said Henry Weishaar, corporate vice president, Global Human Resources, Hospira. "At Hospira, we constantly seek new opportunities to help foster an environment of empowerment, fairness and respect for all of our employees." The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian and gay political organization with members throughout the country. The 2006 HRC Corporate Equality Index rated companies on several factors, including whether they have a written non-discrimination policy covering sexual orientation and offer inclusive health insurance, bereavement and family leave policies to employees with same-sex partners. A record number of companies -- 138 -- met all of the CEI's criteria and were included in the "Best Companies" list. Hospira is one of 12 Illinois-based companies to appear on the list. "This year, more major American businesses received a perfect rating for equality and fairness than in any other year," said Joe Solmonese, president, Human Rights Campaign. "At an ever-increasing pace, corporate executives understand that supporting their gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees is not only the right thing to do, but it is also good for business. The findings in this year's report send a clear message that the American workplace is rapidly becoming more inclusive of diversity." A company-wide group, in conjunction with and empowered by senior management, leads Hospira's diversity and inclusion efforts. In addition, Hospira's business resource groups -- for African Americans, Chinese Americans, women and employees with flexible work arrangements -- provide guidance and opportunities to help employees live up to their full personal and career potential. The company provides well-rounded and competitive benefits for all of its U.S. employees and their partners, without discrimination. About Hospira Hospira, Inc. is a global specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company dedicated to Advancing Wellness(TM) by developing, manufacturing and marketing products that help improve the productivity, safety and efficacy of patient care. With 70 years of service to the hospital industry, Hospira's portfolio includes one of the industry's broadest lines of generic acute-care injectables, which help address the high cost of proprietary pharmaceuticals; integrated solutions for medication management and infusion therapy; and the leading U.S. injectable contract manufacturing business. Headquartered north of Chicago in Lake Forest, Ill., Hospira has approximately 13,000 employees and 14 manufacturing facilities worldwide. Hospira's news releases and other information can be found at http://www.hospira.com/. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040503/HSPLOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Hospira, Inc. CONTACT: Media, Jason Hodges, +1-224-212-2863, or Financial Community, Lynn McHugh, +1-224-212-2363, both of Hospira, Inc. Web site: http://www.hospira.com/

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