Hospira Receives Health Canada Regulatory Approval for Symbiq(TM) Infusion System Software Upgrade

LAKE FOREST, Illinois, May 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- -- Company upgrading current devices and resuming Symbiq infusion pump shipments in Canada --

Hospira, Inc. (NYSE: HSP), a leading provider of clinical information and medication delivery technologies, today announced that the company has received regulatory approval from Health Canada for its software upgrade to the Symbiq(TM) infusion system (http://www.hospira.ca/english/symbiqinfusionsystem.aspx). As a result, Hospira has resumed shipments of Symbiq pumps in Canada and is working with current customers in the region to upgrade to the new version of the software.

"With the upgraded Symbiq infusion system, our goal is to provide hospitals with one of the most advanced and highest quality infusion pumps available today," said Gerry Stefanatos, vice president, Canada and Latin America, Hospira. "This regulatory approval is a testament to the work we've done to help ensure the robustness, dependability and flexibility of the Symbiq device. We are now focused on partnering with hospital customers in Canada who are ready to have their current Symbiq system upgraded and new infusion pumps implemented."

The upgraded Symbiq software includes modifications to further ensure the reliability of the device. During the Symbiq modification process, Hospira:

    
    -- enhanced the operational performance of the infusion pump to reflect
       customer feedback and address recent device field corrections,
    -- improved the device software to perform consistently across varying
       infusion pump clinical practices, and
    -- reevaluated the software design to ensure optimal operation within the
       product specifications.

The Symbiq infusion system is a technologically advanced infusion pump with several clinician-friendly features incorporated to help improve workflow and decrease medication errors. For example, the Symbiq LCD touch screen -- the largest infusion pump screen available -- includes intuitive layouts and touch-activated buttons. This unique touch screen technology also enables hospitals to add future applications to extend the useful life of the pump.

With Hospira MedNet(TM) (http://www.hospira.ca/english/hospiramednetsoftware.aspx) safety software built into the device, Symbiq was the first general infusion system designed to provide additional medication-error protection by requiring users to select a drug library entry from the safety software for all drug delivery programs. Due to its highly sophisticated technology, Symbiq is one of the first devices to achieve I.V. clinical integration of infusion pumps with electronic health record systems, which can help decrease the number of steps and time required to program the infusion pump.

About Hospira

Hospira, Inc. is a global specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company dedicated to Advancing Wellness(TM). As the world leader in specialty generic injectable pharmaceuticals, Hospira offers one of the broadest portfolios of generic acute-care and oncology injectables, as well as integrated infusion therapy and medication management solutions. Through its products, Hospira helps improve the safety, cost and productivity of patient care. The company is headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., and has approximately 14,000 employees. Learn more at http://www.hospira.com.

Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 --

A Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the upgraded Symbiq infusion system. 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, regulatory, legal, technological and other factors that may affect Hospira's operations and may cause actual results to be materially different from expectations include the risks, uncertainties and factors discussed under the headings "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Hospira's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Form 10-Q 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 developments.