Abbott,Laboratories,South Africa,(Pty)Limited

More than a century ago, 30-year-old Wallace C. Abbott, M.D., began making a new form of medicine. Using the active part of medicinal plants, he formed tiny pills, called "dosimetric granules," which provided a precisely measured amount of drug. Within two years, the demand for these granules far exceeded the needs of his own medical practice. From a small operation based in Dr. Abbott's Chicago apartment, Abbott Laboratories has evolved into one of the world's leading health care companies.

Since Abbott's beginning, in 1888, Abbott has focused on producing innovative solutions for the rapidly changing health care marketplace. Today, Abbott is involved in five broad business arenas and distributes products in 130 countries worldwide.