Asset Impairments, Restructuring, and Other Special Charges

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Asset Impairments and Restructuring [Abstract]

Unusual or Infrequent Items Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 5: Asset Impairments, Restructuring, and Other Special Charges

We recognized asset impairments, restructuring, and other special charges of $21.7 million and $23.8 million in the first quarter of 2013 and 2012, respectively. The 2013 charges related to severance costs for actions the company is taking, primarily outside the U.S., to reduce its cost structure and global workforce. The 2012 charges primarily relate to a change in our estimates of returned product related to the withdrawal of Xigris^TM from the market during the fourth quarter of 2011.