QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 12

Abbott Laboratories

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

(Unaudited)

(dollars in millions except ratios)

		Six Months Ended June 30, 2002
Net Earnings		$	1,447
Add (deduct):
	Taxes on earnings		469
	Minority interest		13
Net Earnings as adjusted		$	1,929
Fixed Charges:
	Interest on long-term and short-term debt		123
	Capitalized interest cost		5
	Rental expense representative of an interest factor		28
Total Fixed Charges			156
Total adjusted earnings available for payment of fixed charges		$	2,085
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges			13.4

NOTE: For the purpose of calculating this ratio, (i) earnings have been calculated by adjusting net earnings for taxes on earnings; interest expense; capitalized interest cost, net of amortization; minority interest; and the portion of rentals representative of the interest factor, (ii) Abbott considers one-third of rental expense to be the amount representing return on capital, and (iii) fixed charges comprise total interest expense, including capitalized interest and such portion of rentals.

QuickLinks

Exhibit 12

Abbott Laboratories Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (Unaudited) (dollars in millions except ratios)