Pfizer-Hospira deal gets final approval

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Pfizer has announced that the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) terminated the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, with respect to Pfizer's pending acquisition of Hospira. The FTC's clearance is contingent upon Pfizer's commitment to divest four the US sterile injectable assets, including Acetylcysteine, Clindamycin, Voriconazole and Melphalan.

In addition, Pfizer announced that Brazil's Superintendency-General of CADE has published its unconditional clearance decision.

"We are pleased to have received these final regulatory approvals for our pending acquisition of Hospira," said Mr Ian Read, chairman and chief executive officer, Pfizer. He added, "We now look forward to combining our two companies and expect the transaction to close in early September."