Global Citizenship

Exclusive Sourcing Agreement (ESA) for Pharmaceutical Product Division (PPD) and Abbott Diabetes Care (ADC) Products

Protecting Patients and Consumers

The safety and integrity of Abbott products for the patients we serve is our highest priority. Abbott understands that the threat posed to public health and safety by counterfeit products is a very serious one. We are taking actions to help keep further counterfeit products from the marketplace. Secondary market products are generally products purchased from any source other than from the original manufacturer and are commonly referred to as secondary, gray or diverted products. It is often through a secondary market that counterfeit, adulterated or improperly stored and handled products make their way into the distribution channel. When product comes from the secondary market it is difficult to assure patients and healthcare professionals of the product's quality or safety. Through the exclusive sourcing initiative described in the attached communications, Abbott is working to prevent the introduction of unsafe product into the United States. As of July 1, 2004, wholesale distribution of Abbott products* is only permitted through wholesalers/distributors that have agreed to source their entire product needs directly from Abbott.

ESA Amendment for Vicodin-class Products

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has stated that "rogue" Internet websites are the number one source of abused combination hydrocodone products. The safety and integrity of Abbott products are of the highest priority to us and we are deeply concerned about the threat posed to public health and safety of illicit Internet purchases. Our goal is to prevent the sale of our Vicodin-class products (e.g. Vicodin IR, Vicoprofen, and any future hydrocodone bitartrate/acetaminophen products) through such rogue Internet sites, while preserving the ability to fill and re-fill legitimate prescriptions, issued within the context of bona fide physician-patient relationships, using on-line technology. To address rogue Internet pharmacies operating within the United States, it is necessary to update your Exclusive Sourcing Agreement with Abbott to limit the availability of Vicodin-class products through illegitimate Internet websites.

Additional Information is listed below:

• Questions and Answers regarding these Agreements
  • ESA for PPD and ADC (excluding Vicodin-class products)
  • ESA Amendment for Vicodin-class products
     
• Letters required for signature for any wholesaler/distributor to purchase:
  • PPD and/or ADC products (excluding Vicodin-class products) (PDF)
  • Vicodin-class products (PDF)
    
• List of wholesalers/distributors agreeing to these policies (PDF)
  • ESA for PPD and ADC
  • ESA amendment for Vicodin-class products
     
• Standard Terms and Conditions
  • Pharmaceutical Products Division (PDF)
  • Abbott Diabetes Care (Non-Retail) (PDF)
  • Abbott Diabetes Care (Retail) (PDF)
  • Abbott Diabetes Care (Wholesalers) (PDF)