Asset Impairments, Restructuring, and Other Special Charges

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Extraordinary and Unusual Items [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 $63.5 million and no charges for the quarters ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $85.2 million and $23.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The 2013 charges related primarily to costs associated with the anticipated closure of a packaging and distribution facility in Germany andto 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.