A kick in the "Bott"om line for Abbott, but investors reward it

Abbott to pay $1.6B to settle Depakote claims - chicagotribune.com: "Abbott Laboratories will pay $1.6 billion to settle federal and state claims that it improperly marketed the neurologic medication Depakote for off-label uses, the company said Monday.

Abbott will pay $800 million to resolve civil allegations split among federal and state governments, $700 million in criminal penalties and $100 million to states to resolve consumer protection matters, the North Chicago-based company said.

Abbott said in previous filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it had earmarked $1.5 billion for a potential settlement.

Shares of Abbott were up 30 cents, at $62.71, in mid-day trading.
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