LEAMINGTON SPA, England, Oct. 26, 2009 (PR Newswire Europe) -- v>

-- Single-Vial Formulation Designed to Improve Safety --

Hospira, Inc. (NYSE: HSP), the world leader in generic injectable pharmaceuticals, today announced the completion of decentralised procedure (DCP) for generic docetaxel, and expects to launch across most of Europe between now and the end of 2010. The chemotherapy medication is a generic version of Sanofi-Aventis' Taxotere(R), which had European sales of approximately US$1.1 billion in 2008. Unlike previously available product formulations which require healthcare workers to take a two-step process for dilution prior to infusion, Hospira's docetaxel comes in a single-vial formulation that is designed to enhance pharmacists' safety.

"Hospira's single-vial formulation of docetaxel helps improve the safety and convenience for healthcare providers during drug reconstitution and manipulation," said Michael Kotsanis, president, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Hospira. "Introducing an innovative presentation is aligned with our goal to offer differentiated generic medications with advantages that go beyond cost savings. The demand for generic oncology drugs continues to grow strongly across Europe, and Hospira's docetaxel will be launched in a number of European countries over the next year and a half."

Hospira's docetaxel will be manufactured as part of the company's joint venture with Zydus Cadila Healthcare, Ltd.

Docetaxel is an anti-mitotic chemotherapy medication mainly used to treat breast cancer and prostate cancer. It is also used in lung cancer, head and neck cancer and gastric adenocarcinoma. Hospira's presentations of docetaxel will include 20 mg, 80 mg and 160 mg single-dose vials. The 160 mg vial is an additional presentation unavailable for the originator drug.

About Hospira

Hospira 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, Illinois, United States and has approximately 14,000 employees. The head office for Hospira in Europe, Middle East and Africa is in Leamington Spa, UK. Learn more about Hospira in the UK at www.hospira.co.uk.

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 a projected launch date and other statements regarding Hospira's goals and strategy. 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, 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 Forms 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.