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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

August 22, 2003
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

ABBOTT LABORATORIES
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Illinois

 

1-2189

 

36-0698440
(State or other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)   (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

100 Abbott Park Road
Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6400
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (847) 937-6100






Item 5. Other Events.

        Filed as Exhibit 99.1, and incorporated herein by reference, is the news release issued by Abbott announcing the spin-off of much of Abbott's core global hospital products business.


Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

    Exhibit No.
  Document Description
    99.1   Press Release dated August 22, 2003


SIGNATURE

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

    ABBOTT LABORATORIES

Dated: August 22, 2003

 

By:

/s/  
THOMAS C. FREYMAN      
      Name: Thomas C. Freyman
      Title: Senior Vice President, Finance and
Chief Financial Officer

1



Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.
  Exhibit
99.1   Press Release dated August 22, 2003

2




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SIGNATURE
Exhibit Index