HSP

-- Innovative I.V. Container Also Receives Design Excellence Award; Hospira Joins Industry in Leading 'Green' Initiative -- LAKE FOREST, Ill., Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hospira, Inc. (NYSE:HSP), a leading global hospital products company, received the 2007 Most Valuable Pollution Prevention (MVP2) award today, a recognition of excellence for its VisIV container for intravenous (I.V.) medications and solutions. The next-generation container results in approximately 40-70 percent less waste than other large-volume flexible I.V. bags. The Washington, D.C.-based National Pollution Prevention Roundtable presented the award as part of its annual Pollution Prevention Week. The MVP2 award recognizes creative and effective ways to significantly reduce pollution. Previous winners have included 3M, Rochester Institute of Technology and the Maryland Department of the Environment. The Roundtable is the largest membership organization in the United States devoted solely to pollution prevention. "Hospitals today are recognizing the need to reduce their environmental impact, and we are honored by this recognition of our efforts to help significantly reduce medical waste, while increasing patient and caregiver safety," said Robert Felicelli, vice president and general manager, Specialty Pharmaceuticals, Hospira. "Hospira is committed to improving patient care in a way that also protects and respects our environment." By using an advanced multilayer plastic film, the VisIV container is the first large-volume flexible I.V. container to require no overwrap. Standard large-volume flexible I.V. containers require an external plastic overwrap, which contributes to hospital waste. Approximately 90 percent of hospital patients receive some form of I.V. therapy, so even small steps, like implementing the VisIV container, can help reduce waste. Hospitals produce at least 6,600 tons of waste per day. Should the entire industry follow Hospira's lead and eliminate overwrap from all flexible I.V. containers, more than 20 million pounds of plastic could be eliminated from the U.S. hospital waste stream each year. Abington Memorial Hospital, a fully accredited, regional teaching hospital just north of Philadelphia, has switched to the VisIV container in support of its greening efforts. Meg McGoldrick, chief operating officer, said, "Abington Memorial Hospital is constantly seeking new opportunities to minimize our waste, while delivering the safest and most advanced patient care. The VisIV container helps us reach these goals simultaneously." VisIV Container Receives Design Award The VisIV container's innovation and benefits have also attracted attention from a wider business audience. In July, it won a Bronze International Design Excellence Award (IDEA) in Medical & Scientific Products. The IDEA awards, which are co-sponsored by BusinessWeek and the Industrial Designers Society of America, foster understanding of the importance of industrial design excellence to the quality of life and the economy. Convening Drives Healthcare's "Green" Focus To further advance the industry's environmental sustainability, the Hospira Foundation recently funded a Green Health Champions Meeting convened by the Health Research and Educational Trust (HRET), an affiliate of the American Hospital Association. At the mid-September meeting, senior healthcare, nonprofit, government, business and philanthropy leaders explored educational strategies to promote environmentally friendly healthcare practices. "Hospitals are increasingly aware of their environmental footprint," said Mary Pittman, president, HRET. "Many hospital leaders are finding abundant health reasons to factor in greener products, greener buildings and greener operating policies." 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. In February 2007, Hospira acquired Mayne Pharma Limited to become the world leader in specialty generic injectable pharmaceuticals. With 70 years of service to the hospital industry, Hospira's portfolio includes one of the industry's broadest lines of generic acute-care and oncology injectables, which help address the high cost of proprietary pharmaceuticals; and integrated solutions for medication management and infusion therapy. Headquartered north of Chicago in Lake Forest, Ill., Hospira has approximately 15,000 employees 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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