11.09.2005 ET

(CSRwire) ABBOTT PARK, Ill. - Abbott and the Abbott Fund have contributed more than $1.75 million in humanitarian aid to victims of the earthquake in India and Pakistan, and Hurricanes Stan and Wilma in Mexico and Central America. Abbott is providing funding support to international humanitarian organizations and donations of medical and nutritional products to assist recovery efforts.

Earthquake Relief in South Asia
In response to the recent devastating earthquake in India and Pakistan, Abbott has made an initial contribution of more than $500,000 in funding and product donations. This includes $140,000 in funding and product donations from Abbott Pakistan and $250,000 in funding from the Abbott Fund to the international relief organization CARE. An additional $130,000 in donated medical products, including the antibiotics Biaxin® and Omnicef®, was provided through longstanding relief partner AmeriCares.

"The recent earthquake has had a devastating effect on Pakistan and India, and Abbott employees in Pakistan and around the world send their deepest sympathies to the victims of this tragedy," said Kamran Mirza, general manager, Abbott Pakistan. "It is our hope that Abbott's contributions will help to provide much-needed emergency food, shelter and medical care for affected communities as winter approaches."

Hurricane Relief in Latin America
Abbott and the Abbott Fund continue to provide significant support for ongoing hurricane relief efforts. In response to the recent Hurricanes Stan and Wilma, Abbott has provided more than $1.23 million in donated medical and nutritional products in El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico. Working through international humanitarian agencies AmeriCares, ProjectHOPE and the Catholic Medical Mission Board, Abbott's product contributions include Pedialyte® and Rehydralyte® rehydration solutions, as well as antibiotics and additional medications.

About Abbott and the Abbott Fund
Abbott has a long history of providing humanitarian relief. In 2004, Abbott donated more than $300 million in products and funds to non-profit organizations, philanthropic programs and relief efforts throughout the world. In 2005, Abbott provided significant support for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, including $6.5 million in funds and product donations, as well as on-the-ground technical diagnostics support for mobile hospitals in affected areas. Additionally, Abbott and the Abbott Fund provided humanitarian aid on the ground 72 hours after the tsunami hit Southeast Asia, as well as aid in Chad, Liberia and Darfur, Sudan.

The Abbott Fund is a not-for-profit, philanthropic foundation established by Abbott, a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs 60,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.

Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's Web site at www.abbott.com.