ABBOTT LABORATORIES | 2013 | FY |

Note 7 — Restructuring Plans

        In 2013, Abbott management approved a plan to reduce costs and improve efficiencies across various functional areas as well as a plan to streamline certain manufacturing operations in order to reduce costs and improve efficiencies in Abbott's established pharmaceuticals business. In addition, in 2012, Abbott management approved plans to streamline various commercial operations in order to reduce costs and improve efficiencies in Abbott's core diagnostics, established pharmaceutical and nutritionals businesses. Abbott recorded employee related severance charges of approximately $78 million in 2013 and $167 million in 2012. Additional charges of approximately $4 million in 2013 and $22 million in 2012 were also recorded primarily for asset impairments. Approximately $35 million in 2013 and $70 million in 2012 are recorded in Cost of products sold and approximately $47 million in 2013 and $119 million as Selling, general and administrative expense in 2012. No significant cash payments were made during 2012 relating to the 2012 actions. The following summarizes the activity for these restructurings: (in millions)

        In 2013 and prior years, Abbott management approved plans to realign its worldwide pharmaceutical and vascular manufacturing operations and selected domestic and international commercial and research and development operations in order to reduce costs. In 2013, Abbott recorded employee severance charges of approximately $11 million. In 2011, Abbott recorded charges of approximately $194 million reflecting the impairment of manufacturing facilities and other assets, employee severance and other related charges. Approximately $11 million in 2013 and $18 million in 2011 are classified as Cost of products sold. The remaining 2011 charge of $176 million related to businesses transferred to AbbVie and is being recognized in the results of discontinued operations.

        The following summarizes the activity for these restructurings: (in millions)

        An additional $41 million, $110 million and $25 million were recorded in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, relating to these restructurings, primarily for accelerated depreciation.

        In 2012 and 2010, Abbott management approved restructuring plans primarily related to the acquisition of Solvay's pharmaceuticals business. These plans streamline operations, improve efficiencies and reduce costs in certain Solvay sites and functions as well as in certain Abbott and Solvay commercial organizations in various countries. In 2012, Abbott recorded a charge of approximately $150 million for employee severance and contractual obligations, primarily related to the exit from a research and development facility. These charges are related to businesses transferred to AbbVie and are being recognized in the results of discontinued operations. The accrued restructuring reserves of $115 million at December 31, 2012 related to these actions were transferred to AbbVie on January 1, 2013 as part of the separation. As such, there are no remaining accruals being reported in Abbott's balance sheet as of December 31, 2013.

        In 2011 and 2008, Abbott management approved plans to streamline global manufacturing operations, reduce overall costs, and improve efficiencies in Abbott's core diagnostic business. In 2011, a charge of $28 million was recorded in Cost of products sold. The following summarizes the activity for these restructurings: (in millions)

        In addition, charges of approximately $16 million and $42 million were recorded in 2012 and 2011, primarily for accelerated depreciation and product transfer costs.