10.24.2005 ET

(CSRwire) DEERFIELD, Ill. - Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX) announced today that it has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) and the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (DJSI North America), marking the seventh consecutive year that the company has been listed in the DJSI since its launch in 1999. "We're proud to be recognized by the socially responsible investment community for meeting globally-accepted sustainability criteria," said Robert L. Parkinson, Jr., Baxter's chairman and chief executive officer. "We believe this long-standing membership in the DJSI is a testament to our continuing global focus on social, economic and environmental performance."

The DJSI gave Baxter the best score across a number of performance areas assessed in the medical products category, including environmental policy/management, climate strategy, environmental and social reporting, talent attraction and retention and bioethics.
The Dow Jones Sustainability indices are the world's first benchmarks tracking the financial performance of leading companies in terms of sustainability. The DJSI World tracks the financial performance of the top 10 percent of the 2,500 biggest companies in the Dow Jones Global Index in terms of social, economic and environmental performance. The DJSI North America--a new addition to the DJSI family as of September 2005--includes the top 20 percent in each sector out of the biggest 600 North American companies.

Baxter's commitment to sustainability is evident in its support of relief efforts for victims of recent natural disasters in communities near and far. In the weeks since Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast region of the United States, Baxter provided more than $500,000 worth of life-saving products; more than $350,000 in employee contributions and matching funds through The Baxter International Foundation, the company's charitable organization; and a $1 million donation by the foundation for general relief supplies to aid victims of the disaster. In response to the recent earthquake in South Asia, Baxter is also matching funds contributed by employees around the world, and the company is currently assessing needs and investigating options to determine an appropriate level of support to help victims of this disaster.

In addition to Baxter's membership in the DJSI, Baxter was also recognized in 2005 by Innovest Strategic Value Advisors as one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World, and as one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by Business Ethics Magazine. Baxter also received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) inaugural Corporate Leaders award earlier this year. To learn more about Baxter's sustainability initiatives and to read the company's 2004 sustainability report, please visit www.baxter.com/sustainability.
Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) through its subsidiaries, assists health-care professionals and their patients with the treatment of complex medical conditions, including cancer, hemophilia, immune disorders, kidney disease and trauma. The company applies its expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to make a meaningful difference in patients' lives.

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