Abbott and signs contract with Premier for diagnostic tests

Abbott has announced that it has signed a new group purchasing agreement with Premier, Inc., a leading healthcare alliance, for a broad line of the company's diagnostic products.

The three-year contract covers all of Abbott's immunochemistry analyzers, reagents and accessories, as well as all CELL-DYN(R) Hematology analyzers, products and service.

Abbott also will work with Premier, Inc. to help with laboratory automation, which will help member hospitals deliver quality lab results while maximizing resources.

The contract represents potential sales to Premier members in excess of $300 million over three years.

"Our products have proven themselves in enhancing the productivity of high volume labs," said Scott Luse, divisional vice president, Marketing, Abbott Diagnostics. "We look forward to partnering with Premier to help its member hospitals improve operating efficiencies and patient care."

About Premier, 2006 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient