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'{{Infobox_Company | company_name = '''Baxter International''' Inc. | company_logo = [[Image:BaxterLogo.png|200px]] | company_type = [[Public company|Public]] ({{NYSE|BAX}}) | foundation = 1931 | location = [[Deerfield, Illinois]] | key_people = Robert<!-- PLEASE LEAVE AS "ROBERT", THAT IS THE NAME THAT THE LEADERSHIP PAGE USES --> L. Parkinson Jr., Chairman, CEO and President<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.baxter.com/about_baxter/company_profile/company_leadership/index.html | title = Company Leadership | accessdate = 2009-07-07 | publisher = Baxter International }}</ref> | num_employees = 48,500 | Sector = [[Health care]]| Industry = [[Medical equipment]]| products = Medical supplies to treat [[hemophilia]], [[kidney disease]] and provide [[intravenous therapy]] | homepage = [http://www.Baxter.com/ www.Baxter.com]| }} '''Baxter International Inc.''' ({{NYSE|BAX}}), is an [[United States|American]] [[health care]] company with headquarters in [[Deerfield, Illinois]]. The company primarily focuses on products to treat [[hemophilia]], [[kidney disease]], immune disorders and other chronic and acute medical conditions. The company claims to have world-wide sales of [[United States dollar|$]]12.3 billion, across three manufacturing divisions (BioScience, producing [[blood plasma]] proteins; Medication Delivery producing [[intravenous therapy]] products and liquids; and Renal producing equipment for [[dialysis]] and the treatment of kidney disorders).<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.baxter.com/about_baxter/company_profile/sub/corporate_overview.html | title = Corporate Overview | accessdate = 2009-06-14 | publisher = Baxter International}}</ref> The company is also involved in the production of a [[vaccine]] for the [[Influenza A virus subtype H1N1|H1N1 influenza]]. The company was involved in several controversies. In 2001, malfunctioning dialysis machines resulted in several deaths; in 2008 the company supplied contaminated [[heparin]]; in 2009 lethal [[Influenza A virus subtype H5N1|H5N1 avian flu virus]] was delivered to laboratories across Europe mixed with seasonal influenza vaccines; also, the company was charged with excessive billing of Kentucky [[Medicaid]]. Baxter International is a leader in environmental controls and commitments, recognized for their excellence in the area. ==History== Baxter International was founded in 1931 by Davis Baxter, a [[Physician|medical doctor]], as a manufacturer and distributor of [[intravenous therapy]] solutions. Baxter's interest was bought out in 1935 by Ralph Falk, who established a [[research and development]] function. In 1939 the company developed a vacuum-type collection container, extending the [[shelf life]] of blood from hours to weeks. In 1953 William Graham became the company's [[chief executive officer]], and in 1954 expanded operations outside of the [[United States]] by opening an office in [[Belgium]]. In 1956 Baxter International introduced the first functioning [[artificial kidney]], and in 1971 became a member of the [[Fortune 500]]. Vernon Loucks became president and CEO in 1980; throughout the 1980s and 1990s the company expanded to deliver a wider variety of products and services (including vaccines, a greater variety of blood products) through acquisitions of various companies. Sales and production facilities also expanded throughout the world.<ref name = history>{{cite web | url = http://www.baxter.com/about_baxter/company_profile/sub/history.html | title = History | publisher = Baxter International | accessdate = 2009-07-08 }}</ref> In 1993 the company pled guilty to a [[felony]] in relation to an anti-[[boycott]] law in the United States<ref name = Mintzberg/> and in 1996, the company entered into a four-way, $640 million settlement with [[haemophilia]]cs 1999 in relation to [[Coagulation|blood clotting]] concentrates that were infected with [[HIV]].<ref>{{cite book | isbn = 0195131606 | title = Blood feuds: AIDS, blood, and the politics of medical disaster | publisher = [[Oxford University Press]] | year = 1999 | last = Feldman | first = EA | coauthors = Bayer R | pages = [http://books.google.com/books?id=mcRp6cvcTm4C&pg=PA49 49-50]; [http://books.google.com/books?id=mcRp6cvcTm4C&pg=PA320 320]}}</ref> Under pressure from shareholders due to poor performance and an unsuccessful merger, Loucks was forced to resign<ref name = Mintzberg>{{cite book |author=Mintzberg, Henry |title=Managers Not MBAs: A Hard Look at the Soft Practice of Managing and Management Development |publisher=Berrett-Koehler Publishers |location=San Francisco, Calif |year=2004 |pages= [http://books.google.com/books?id=zsYAeVgwHDQC&pg=PA115 115-6] |isbn=1-57675-275-5 |oclc= |doi= |accessdate=}}</ref> and was replaced by Harry Kraemer, who was replaced by Robert Parkinson in 2004.<ref name = history/> ==Environmental activities== Baxter International is recognized as a leading company in environmental performance and reporting, having an explicit focus on environmental issues since 1976; actions included an environmental policy and manual, a series of audits, regular environmental conferences, efforts to prevent and clean up site contamination and staff dedicated to environmental improvements. In 1997, a report produced by the company indicated that changes made to reduce environmental impacts generated savings that exceeded their cost, producing a net profit. Reporting was company-wide, with a variety of aggregation and reporting, including on the company's internet and intranet sites.<ref>{{cite book |editors =Klinkers L; Bennett M; James P | author = Bennett M; James P |title=Sustainable Measures: Evaluation and Reporting of Environmental and Social Performance |publisher=Greenleaf Pubns |location= |year=1999 |pages= [http://books.google.com/books?id=I0iChJeHaC4C&pg=PA253 253-282]|isbn=1-874719-16-0 |oclc= |doi= |accessdate=| chapter = The Evolution of Integrated Environmental Performance Evaluation and Reporting}}</ref> The company was an early joiner in the "green and greedy" movement, which aims to lessen the environmental impacts of manufacturing its products while saving the company money.<ref>{{cite book | pages = [http://books.google.ca/books?id=_Cy9xMIoCdUC&pg=PA254 254-5] | isbn = 0300110774 | publisher = [[Yale University Press]] | last = Adelson | first = G | coauthors = Engell J; Ranalli B; Van Anglen KP | title = Environment: An Interdisciplinary Anthology }}</ref> In 2009 the company announced it had reached a variety of its environmentally-friendly goals, and that it would continue to try to reduce waste, emissions, energy use and environmental incidents over the coming years.<ref>{{cite web | title = Baxter Cuts GHG Emissions by 21% | url = http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/06/19/baxter-cuts-ghg-emissions-by-21/ | date = 2009-06-19 | accessdate = 2009-07-03 | publisher = Environmentalleader.com }}</ref> ==Structure== {| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" |+Baxter International by businessline<ref name = overview>{{cite web | url = http://www.baxter.com/about_baxter/company_profile/sub/corporate_overview.html | title = Corporate overview | accessdate = 2009-07-08 | publisher = Baxter International}}</ref><ref name = Davis2003>{{cite book | chapter = Purifying an image: Baxter International and the Dialyzer Crisis | year = 2003 | pages = [http://books.google.ca/books?id=eeXbNc5BjwQC&pg=PA349 349-364] | isbn = 0070217335 | title = The power of management capital: utilizing the new drivers of innovation, profitability, and growth in a demanding global economy | publisher = [[McGraw-Hill]] Professional | editor = Feigenbaum AV | last = Davis | first = JA }}</ref> |- ! Name !! Focus !! 2008 sales (In billions) !! Percentage total profits |- | BioScience || [[Vaccine]]s and [[biopharmaceutical]]s || $5.3 || 44% |- | Medication Delivery || Intravenous solutions and equipment || $4.6 || 37% |- | Renal || [[Peritoneal dialysis]] || $2.3 || 19% |} Sales are primarily in the United States (41%) and Europe (35%), with a similar breakdown of regional employees (42% and 29% respectively). In 2008, Baxter International claimed to have spent $868 million on research and development.<ref name = overview/> ==H1N1 vaccine== In June 2009, Baxter International announced it expected to have the first commercial [[vaccine]] for the [[Influenza A virus subtype H1N1|H1N1 ("swine flu") influenza]] as early as July of the same year. The company has been one of several working with the [[World Health Organization]] and United States [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] on the vaccine, and uses a [[cell (biology)|cell]]-based rather than [[egg (food)|egg]]-based technology that allows a shorter production time.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/06/13/Baxter-to-release-flu-vaccine-in-July/UPI-41571244908860/ | title = Baxter to release flu vaccine in July | publisher = [[United Press International]] | date = 2009-06-13 | accessdate = 2009-07-02 }} </ref><br>Baxter International first filed for a [[patent]] application for the manufacture of specific viral antigens including H1N1 and H5N1 on August 28, 2007, <ref>{{cite web | url = http://portal.uspto.gov/external/portal/!ut/p/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKLN4gPMATJgFieAfqRqCLGpugijnABX4_83FT9IKBEpDlQxNDCRz8qJzU9MblSP1jfWz9AvyA3NDSi3NsRAHxEBJg!/delta/base64xml/L0lJSk03dWlDU1lKSi9vQXd3QUFNWWdBQ0VJUWhDRUVJaEZLQSEvNEZHZ2RZbktKMEZSb1hmckNIZGgvN18wXzE4TC8xMy9zYS5nZXRCaWI!#7_0_18L | title = United States Patent Application Number: 60/966,724 | publisher = [[United States Patent and Trademark Office]] | accessdate = 2009-09-05 | last = Kistner | first = Otfried | date = 2009-03-05 | Notice Access requires CAPTcha, Search Application Number: 60/966,724. More Details under Image File Wrapper, Specifications, Page 13}}</ref> after the virus was discovered and long before the outbreak and reports/warnings in the news. Baxter was denied the patent on August 31, 2008. The United States Patent and Trademark Offices stated their official reasoning simply as "Provisional Application Expired."<ref>{{cite web | url = http://portal.uspto.gov/external/PA_1_0_15H/view/BrowsePdfServlet?objectId=F69HIGRUPPOPPY5&lang=DINO | last: Kistner | first: O | coauthors = Guthrie J | title = Method For Producing Viral Vaccines: Field of the invention | Written plan for H1N1 & H5N1 Vaccine methods | accessdate = 2009-09-05 | date = 2007-08-31 | Previous citation link required for access}}</ref> <ref>http://www.masslpa.org/sites/default/files/Baxter_Patent_Application_Data.pdf | Screen shots of US Patent Application 60/966,724. MassLPA.org. This is an Alternate Citation to above links | Reason: The previously linked .gov information URL requires a CAPTcha to access, a direct link is impossible\broken. | After Captcha, search Application Number: 60/966,724. More Details under Image File Wrapper, Specifications, Page 13</ref> Baxter International refiled for a patent application for the manufacture of these viral [[antigens]] again on August 28, 2008 after the global outbreak, this time citing more collaborating inventors. They were granted this patent on March 5, 2009.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220090060950%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20090060950&RS=DN/20090060950 | title = United States Patent Application 20090060950 | publisher = [[United States Patent and Trademark Office]] | accessdate = 2009-07-23 | last = Kistner | first = O | coauthors = Tauer C; Barrett N; Mundt W | date = 2009-03-05 }}</ref> ==Controversies== ===Dialyzer crisis=== On August 15, 2001, two elderly patients in [[Spain]] died within hours of receiving [[dialysis]] from Baxter products. Eventually 51 more patients would die; though the cause was unclear, the company issued a world-wide recall of two lines of filters, the sole common link between all the equipment used by the patients. Harry Kraemer, the company president at the time, apologized for the errors, shut down the factory producing filters, alerted competitors of the issue and took a 40% pay cut along with a 20% cut for other executives.<ref>{{cite book |author=Ind, Nicholas |title=Beyond branding: how the new values of transparency and integrity are changing the world of brands |publisher=Kogan Page |location=London |year=2003 |pages= [http://books.google.com/books?id=MMrpxsyErwYC&pg=PA7 7] |isbn=0-7494-4399-5 |oclc= |doi= |accessdate=}}</ref> The company's earnings dropped by [[United States dollar|$]]189 million as a result of the issues. The company took quick action to reduce the impact of the event and prevent future recurrence and as a result suffered minimal damage to its reputation.<ref name = Davis2003/> ===2008 Chinese heparin contamination=== {{Main|2008 Chinese heparin contamination}} In 2008, the quality of blood thinning products produced by Baxter was brought into question when they were linked to 19 deaths in the United States.<ref name=time1>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Heparin's Deadly Side Effects |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1858870,00.html|work=[[Time magazine]] |date=2008 |accessdate=2008-11-16 }}</ref> Upon inspection one of the raw ingredients used by Baxter were found to be contaminated - between 5 and 20 percent - with a substance that was similar, but not identical, to the ingredient itself. The company initiated a voluntary recall, temporarily suspended the manufacture of [[heparin]], and launched an investigation. Investigation into the contamination has focused on raw heparin produced by Changzhou Scientific Protein Laboratories, a China based branch of Scientific Protein Laboratories, based in [[Waunakee, Wisconsin]]. Due to procedural errors Changzhou SPL's facilities was never subject to an inspection by US FDA official, as required by FDA rules. The factory's products were also never certified as safe for use in pharmaceutical products by Chinese FDA officials as Changzhou SPL was itself registered as a chemical company and not a drugs manufacturer.<ref name=wp1>"Contaminant Found in Blood Thinner", Washington Post (Online edition), 2008-03-05</ref><ref name=reuters1>"Baxter probe focuses on US-owned China plant - WSJ", Reuters, 2008-02-15</ref><ref name=wsj1>"China Washes Hands on Heparin Purity", Wall Street Journal (Online edition) 2008-02-27</ref> Though Baxter was first to recall heparin because of increased adverse reactions, after the contaminant was identified and testing protocols were shared with other manufacturers globally, over a dozen other companies in nearly a dozen countries issued recalls, which linked back to certain supply points in China. ===2009 avian flu contamination=== In early 2009 supplies of contaminated vaccine material with Avian flu virus ([[Influenza A virus subtype H5N1]]) provided by Baxter International were sent to a series of European laboratories<ref>{{cite news | work = [[Bloomberg L.P.]] | url = http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aTo3LbhcA75I | title = Baxter Sent Bird Flu Virus to European Labs by Error | date = 2009-02-24 | accessdate = 2009-08-08 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | work = [[Scienceblogs]] | url = http://scienceblogs.com/effectmeasure/2009/02/baxter_bird_flu_botch.php | title = Baxter bird flu botch | date = 2009-02-28 | accessdate = 2009-08-08 }}</ref>. The deadly H5N1 strain was mixed with the less harmful H3N2 subtype of the seasonal flu virus, and was detected after it killed test animals in a lab in the [[Czech Republic]]. Though the serious consequences were avoided by the lab in the Czech Republic,<ref>{{cite news | work = [[The Canadian Press]] | url = http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090227/Bird_Flu_090227/20090227?hub=Health | title = Baxter admits flu product contained live bird flu virus | first = CTV | date = 2009-02-27 | accessdate = 2009-07-04 }}</ref> Baxter claimed the failed controls over the distribution of the virus were 'stringent' and there was 'little chance' of the lethal virus harming humans, apart from its deadly effect.<ref>{{cite news | work = [[Financial Times]] | url = http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d7a3e3d6-1237-11de-b816-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check=1 | title = WHO mulls stricter transport of bio products | last = Jack | first = A | date = 2009-03-16 | accessdate = 2009-06-16 }}</ref> ===Kentucky settlement=== On July 2, 2009, [[Kentucky]] Attorney General [[Jack Conway (politician)|Jack Conway]] announced a settlement between the state and Baxter Healthcare Corporation, a subsidiary of Baxter International, worth $2 million. The company had been inflating the cost of the [[intravenous therapy|intravenous drugs]] sold to Kentucky Medicaid, at times as much as 1300%.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.kypost.com/content/news/commonwealth/story/Conway-Announces-Multi-Million-Dollar-Settlement/srxPJ5GaiU2gqFfhozY9-g.cspx | title = Conway Announces Multi-Million Dollar Settlement With Drug Company | last = Tracy | first = B | work = [[The Cincinnati Post|Kentucky Post]] | publisher = [[E. W. Scripps Company]] | date = 2009-07-03 | accessdate = 2009-07-03 }}</ref> == References == {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.Baxter.com/ Official website] {{-}} {{Illinois Corporations}} [[Category:Companies based in Deerfield, Illinois]] [[Category:Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange]] [[Category:Multinational companies]] [[Category:Companies established in 1931]] [[de:Baxter International]] [[fr:Baxter International]] [[ko:백스터]] [[ja:バクスター (製薬会社)]] [[ro:Baxter International]]'