Hospira

{{Infobox company

| name = Hospira

| logo = Image:Hospira logo.jpg

| type = Subsidiary

| traded_as = {{NYSE was|HSP}}

| foundation = May 3, 2004 (spun off from Abbott Laboratories)

| location = Lake Forest, Illinois, United States

| key_people = F. Michael (Mike) Ball {{small|(CEO)}}; John C. Staley, Chairman of the Board of Directors

| products = Generic acute-care and oncology injectables, integrated infusion therapy, medication management systems

| num_employees = Approximately 19,000

| revenue = $4.5 billion (2014)

| parent = Pfizer

| homepage = {{URL|https://www.pfizerhospitalus.com}}

}}

Hospira was an American global pharmaceutical and medical device company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois. It had approximately 19,000 employees.{{cite web |title=Hospira - Investor Relations - Shareholder FAQ |url=http://www.hospirainvestor.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=175550&p=irol-faq |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151228205632/http://www.pfizer.com/investors/shareholder_services/shareholder_services |archive-date=28 December 2015}} Before its acquisition by Pfizer, Hospira was the world's largest producer of generic injectable pharmaceuticals,{{cite news|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2009-12-16/news/28457975_1_hospira-generic-injectable-supply-active-pharmaceutical-ingredients|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426185117/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2009-12-16/news/28457975_1_hospira-generic-injectable-supply-active-pharmaceutical-ingredients|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 26, 2012|title=US-based Hospira to buy Orchid Chemicals' injectables biz for $400 mn|publisher=The Economic Times|date=16 December 2009}} manufacturing generic acute-care and oncology injectables, as well as integrated infusion therapy and medication management systems. Hospira's products are used by hospitals and alternate site providers, such as clinics, home healthcare providers and long-term care facilities.{{cite web|url=http://www.hospira.com/AboutHospira/default.aspx|title=About Hospira}} It was formerly the hospital products division of Abbott Laboratories. On September 3, 2015, Hospira was acquired by Pfizer, who subsequently sold off the medical devices portion of Hospira to ICU Medical.

Worldwide sales in 2014 were approximately $4.5 billion.{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/q/ks?s=HSP+Key+Statistics|title=HSP Key Statistics|publisher=Yahoo.com}} Current results are now part of Pfizer's consolidated statements.

History

Image:Hospira headquarters.JPG

In January 2004, Abbott announced it was spinning off its hospital products division.{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2004/01/26/story3.html|title=Abbott Labs to spin off unit|last=Higginbotham|first=Stacey|date=25 January 2004|publisher=Austin Business Journal}}

Hospira's name was picked by employee vote. The name is derived from the words "hospital," "spirit," "inspire," and spero, a Latin word meaning "hope."{{dead link|date=February 2023}} Hospira became an independent company on May 3, 2004, with 14,000 employees, 14 manufacturing sites and an estimated $2.5 billion in annual sales.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB108363361934801076|title=Hospira Begins Trading As Part of the S&P 500|date=2004-05-04|work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=2020-04-23|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660}}

In 2007, Hospira purchased Mayne Pharma Ltd., an Australian-based specialty injectable pharmaceuticals company, for $2.1 billion.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2007-01-19-0701190188-story.html|title=Hospira close to purchase of Mayne|date=19 January 2007|website=Chicago Tribune|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-23}}

In 2009, Hospira acquired the biotechnology business from Pliva-Croatia, the generic injectable pharmaceuticals business of Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd., a leading Indian pharmaceuticals company, for approximately $400 million,{{cite news|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2009-12-16/news/28457975_1_hospira-generic-injectable-supply-active-pharmaceutical-ingredients/2009-12-17/news/27653053_1_hospira-injectable-orchid-chemical|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707012827/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2009-12-16/news/28457975_1_hospira-generic-injectable-supply-active-pharmaceutical-ingredients/2009-12-17/news/27653053_1_hospira-injectable-orchid-chemical|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 7, 2012|title=US-based Hospira to Buy Orchid Chemical's Injectables Biz For $400 Mn|date=16 December 2009|publisher=The Economic Times}} and TheraDoc, a clinical informatics company that develops hospital surveillance systems, in 2009.{{cite news|url=http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/news/2009/12/hospira-acquires-theradoc-enhances-medication-saf.aspx|title=Hospira Acquires Theradoc, Enhances Medication Safety and Infection Management Offerings|date=2 December 2009|publisher=Infection Control Today}} In 2010, Hospira acquired Javelin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., maker of post-operative pain management drug Dyloject, for approximately $145 million.{{cite news|url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9GL0Q781.htm|title=Hospira To Close $145M Javelin Deal This Week|date=29 June 2010|publisher=BusinessWeek|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026073645/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9GL0Q781.htm|archive-date=26 October 2012}}

In 2011, Hospira's board chose Mike Ball, formerly president of Allergan, as Hospira's new CEO. Ball became CEO in March 2011.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110308/business/110309638/|title=Hospira Names Allergan's Michael Ball as CEO|date=8 March 2011|publisher=Daily Herald}} Hospira named John Staley its non-executive chairman with the retirement of former executive chairman Christopher Begley in January 2012. Begley had announced his retirement as Hospira's chief executive in August 2010, but had remained as executive chairman.{{cite web |url=http://articles.marketwatch.com/2011-12-07/news/30959308_1_hospira-christopher-begley-chairman |title=Hospira names John Staley non-executive chairman - MarketWatch |access-date=2012-04-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707004812/http://articles.marketwatch.com/2011-12-07/news/30959308_1_hospira-christopher-begley-chairman |archive-date=2012-07-07 }}

In 2015, Pfizer signed an agreement to acquire Hospira.{{Cite web |date=5 February 2015 |title=Pfizer to buy Hospira to boost biosimilar pipeline |url=https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2015/02/05/pfizer-to-buy-hospira-for-90share-or-about-17-billion.html |website=CNBC}} The roughly $17 billion acquisition was completed in September, 2015.{{cite news|title=Pfizer completes $17-billion Hospira acquisition|url=https://www.thepharmaletter.com/article/pfizer-completes-17-billion-hospira-acquisition|access-date=28 April 2017|work=The Pharma Letter|date=4 September 2015}} A year later Pfizer sold the medical devices portion of Hospira to ICU Medical for roughly $900 million in cash, stock, and other consideration.{{cite news|last1=Pringle|first1=Sarah|title=ICU Medical Wins Big Price Cut to Buy Pfizer's Hospira Unit|url=https://www.thestreet.com/story/13945291/1/icu-medical-wins-big-cut-in-price-for-pfizer-s-hospira.html|access-date=28 April 2017|work=TheStreet.com|date=6 January 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Jamerson|first1=Joshua|title=ICU Medical To Buy Pfizer Unit in $1 Billion Deal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/icu-medical-to-buy-pfizer-unit-in-1-billion-deal-1475761083|access-date=28 April 2017|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=6 October 2016}}{{cite web|title=ICU Medical Completes the Acquisition of Hospira Infusion Systems from Pfizer|url=http://www.icumed.com/about-us/news-events/news-articles/icu-medical-completes-the-acquisition-of-hospira-infusion-systems-from-pfizer.aspx|website=ICU Medical|access-date=28 April 2017}}

In 2020 through 2022, Pfizer used Hospira, Inc. as a trade name in reference to the subsidiary's involvement in as a supplier of 0.9% Sodium chloride Injection USP diluent for use with the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.{{Cite web |date=December 2021 |title=Package Insert - Comirnaty |url=https://www.fda.gov/media/151707/download |access-date=2022-05-24 |website=U.S. Food and Drug Administration}}

Sodium thiopental production

Sodium thiopental is an anesthetic discovered by Abbott Laboratories in the 1930s.{{cite book|url=http://www.aana.com/Resources.aspx?id=1730|title=History of Anesthesia with Emphasis on the Nurse Specialist|last=Thatcher|first=Virginia S.|year=1953|publisher=J.B. Lippincott|chapter=Chapter 7: Illegal or Legal?|chapter-url=http://www.aana.com/uploadedFiles/Resources/Archives_-_Library/Historical_Resources/Thatcher/0008CHP7.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501075551/http://www.aana.com/Resources.aspx?id=1730|archive-date=2011-05-01}} Hospira manufactured the drug after splitting off from Abbott under the brand name Pentothal. The WHO considers it an essential drug. However, it is also used as part of the lethal injection protocol in many US states.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/8028989/US-executions-on-hold-due-to-lethal-injection-drug-shortage.html|title=US executions on hold due to lethal injection drug shortage|publisher=The Telegraph|date=27 September 2010|last=Allen|first=Nick|location=London}} Though Hospira has supplied these states with the drug, it has said, "we do not support the use of any of our products in capital punishment procedures."{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/39385026|title=Shortage of drug holds up some U.S. executions|last=Welsh-Huggins|first=Andrew|date=27 September 2010|publisher=NBC News|agency=AP}}{{dead link|date=August 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

{{wikinews|Final US manufacturer ceases production of lethal injection drug; executions delayed}}

In January 2011, the company announced that it would stop producing sodium thiopental.{{Cite news|last=McGreal|first=Chris|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/23/lethal-injection-sodium-thiopental-hospira|title=Lethal injection drug production ends in the US|date=2011-01-23|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-04-23|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}} Hospira had recently moved production of the drug from a plant in North Carolina to a plant in Liscate, Italy. However, the Italian government would only allow Hospira to manufacture it if they could guarantee it wouldn't be used in capital punishment.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/eu-executions-drugs-idCNL6E7NK30820111220|title=EU puts squeeze on drug supplies for U.S. executions|date=2011-12-20|work=Reuters|access-date=2020-04-23|language=en}} The Italian constitution bans the use of capital punishment. Company officials determined there was no way it could prevent sodium thiopental from being used in executions, and did not want to expose their employees to liability.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/22/us/22lethal.html|title=States Face Shortage of Key Lethal Injection Drug|work=New York Times|date=21 January 2011|first1=Erik|last1=Eckholm|first2=Katie|last2=Zezima}}{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704754304576095980790129692?mod=WSJ_hp_LEADNewsCollection|publisher=The Wall Street Journal|title=Drug Halt Hinders Executions in the U.S.|date=January 22, 2011|last=Koppel|first=Nathan}}{{cite web|url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=175550&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1518610&highlight=Pentothal|title=Hospira - Investor Relations - Press Release|work=corporate-ir.net}}

Legislation and litigation

In August 2009, Hospira introduced a generic version of oxaliplatin, originally developed by Sanofi-Aventis SA for treating colon cancer. In April 2010, Hospira announced a legal settlement with Sanofi-Aventis, under the terms of which Hospira agreed to stop selling oxaliplatin injection in the United States by June 30, 2010, with the stipulation that they could relaunch the product on August 9, 2012.{{cite news|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sanofi-aventis-settles-additional-eloxatin-suits-2010-04-06//|title=Sanofi-Aventis Settles Additional Eloxatin Suits|date=6 April 2010|publisher=MarketWatch}}

In 2010, the U.S. Congress passed legislation that would allow the marketing of biosimilar drugs in the United States. The legislation provided for 12 years of data exclusivity for brand-name biologics. Some consumer groups, like AARP, oppose this provision, saying it would cause lack of access to the promise of such drugs.{{cite web|url=http://www.aarp.org/community/AARPTN/journals/Helping_patients_not_prot/2296062|title=Home - AARP Online Community|work=aarp.org}}

Competitors

Hospira's competitors in specialty injectable pharmaceuticals include Fresenius AG, Baxter International Inc., Bedford Laboratories, Mylan, Sandoz, Teva Pharmaceuticals as well as divisions of several multinational pharmaceutical companies. Its competitors in medication management systems include Baxter, B. Braun Melsungen AG, CareFusion and Fresenius Medical Care AG.

{{cite news| url=https://money.cnn.com/quote/snapshot/snapshot.html?symb=HSP | work=CNN | title=Hsp}}

Infusion pump system firmware vulnerability disclosures

In 2014-2015 two security researchers independently identified what were described as severe defects in Hospira's PCA system firmware, the software controlling various of their drug infusion equipment (CVE-2015-3459{{cite web|url=https://web.nvd.nist.gov/view/vuln/detail?vulnId=CVE-2015-3459|title=NVD - Detail|work=nist.gov}} and further advisory ICSA-15-125-01B{{cite web|url=https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-15-125-01B|title=Hospira LifeCare PCA Infusion System Vulnerabilities (Update B) - ICS-CERT|work=us-cert.gov}}). Numerous remote exploit vulnerabilities were found, in what was believed to be the first FDA safety advisory of its kind.{{cite web|url=http://xs-sniper.com/blog/2015/06/08/hospira-plum-a-infusion-pump-vulnerabilities/|title=Billy (BK) Rios|work=xs-sniper.com}} This was followed in July 2015 by a second FDA recommendation that hospitals discontinue use of the affected pumps entirely.{{cite web|url=https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm456832.htm|title=Symbiq Infusion System by Hospira: FDA Safety Communication - Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities|work=fda.gov}} The devices, extent of their flaws, and implications, were widely discussed.{{cite web|url=https://securityledger.com/2015/05/researcher-drug-pump-the-least-secure-ip-device-ive-ever-seen/|title=Researcher: Drug Pump the 'Least Secure IP Device I've Ever Seen' - The Security Ledger|work=The Security Ledger|date=5 May 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.securityweek.com/serious-security-flaws-found-hospira-lifecare-drug-pumps|title=Serious Security Flaws Found in Hospira LifeCare Drug Pumps - SecurityWeek.Com|work=securityweek.com|date=6 May 2015 }}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/08/03/connected-medical-devices-the-internet-of-things-that-could-kill-you/|title=Connected medical devices: The Internet of things-that-could-kill-you|author=Andrea Peterson|date=3 August 2015|newspaper=Washington Post|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150914230259/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/08/03/connected-medical-devices-the-internet-of-things-that-could-kill-you/|archive-date= 14 September 2015}}