HSP

Hospira Launches Fluconazole Injection LAKE FOREST, Ill., July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hospira, Inc. (NYSE:HSP) announced today the launch of its FirstChoice(R) brand of fluconazole premixes. Fluconazole Injection is the generic version of Pfizer's Diflucan(R), which posted 2003 sales of approximately $200 million. "Fluconazole represents an important antifungal treatment for thousands of patients," said John Arnott, senior vice president, Global Commercial Operations, Hospira. "Hospira is pleased to deliver a high-quality generic alternative to the U.S. market." Hospira is the only generic entrant with a product portfolio matching the full range of flexible containers available from the innovator. Additionally, in an effort to help reduce medication errors, all products have a unit-of-use bar code on both the foil overwrap and primary solution container. Hospira offers the broadest portfolio of generic injectable pharmaceuticals and drug-delivery systems in the United States, with products that address critical therapeutic areas including pain, anesthesia, cardiovascular and infectious disease. Through these high-quality generic alternatives, Hospira is strategically positioned to help reduce the overall cost of healthcare. More than $3 billion of non-biologic branded injectable drug patents are slated to expire in the United States by the end of the decade. Hospira expects that its pipeline will deliver a steady stream of generic pharmaceuticals to the market during this period. Indications and Safety Information Fluconazole is indicated in the treatment of oropharyngeal and esophageal candidiasis, Candida urinary tract infections, peritonitis, systemic Candida infections including candidemia, disseminated candidiasis and pneumonia. It is also indicated for the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis and to decrease the incidence of candidiasis in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation who receive cytotoxic chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. There have been rare cases of serious hepatic reactions during treatment with fluconazole. Fatal reactions were noted to occur primarily in patients with serious medical conditions (i.e., AIDS or malignancy) and often while taking multiple concomitant medications. Fluconazole is contraindicated in patients who have shown hypersensitivity to fluconazole or any of its excipients. For full prescribing information, contact Hospira Medical Communications at (800) 615-0187. 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 safety and efficacy of patient care. Created from the core global hospital products business of Abbott Laboratories, Hospira is a new company with 70 years of service to the hospital industry. The company's portfolio includes one of the industry's broadest lines of generic acute-care injectables, integrated solutions for medication management and infusion therapy, and a full-service contract manufacturing business. Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., north of Chicago, Hospira has more than 14,000 employees and 15 manufacturing facilities worldwide. Hospira's news releases and other information can be found at http://www.hospira.com/. 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 purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Hospira cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect Hospira's operations and may cause actual results to be materially different from expectations include the risk and uncertainties set forth in the information statement under the heading "Risk Factors" in the most recent version of the Form 10 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are incorporated by reference. Hospira undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as the result of subsequent events or development. DATASOURCE: Hospira, Inc. CONTACT: Media, Stacey Eisen, +1-224-212-2276, Financial Community, Lynn McHugh, +1-224-212-2363, both of Hospira, Inc. Web site: http://www.hospira.com/

Copyright