Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 12, 2009

Registration No. 333-        

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Under

The Securities Act of 1933

ABBOTT LABORATORIES

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

100 Abbott Park Road

Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6400

(847) 937-6100

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Laura J. Schumacher

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Abbott Laboratories

100 Abbott Park Road

Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6020

(847) 937-8905

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:

From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: o

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: x

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. x

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “larger accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Table of Contents

PROSPECTUS

Abbott Laboratories

Debt Securities

By this prospectus, Abbott may offer from time to time debt securities.

Abbott will provide you with the specific terms and the public offering prices of these securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest. This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

Investing in our securities involves a number of risks. You should carefully read and consider the risk factors included in our periodic reports, in any prospectus supplements relating to specific offerings of securities and in other documents that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus is dated February 12, 2009.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that Abbott filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the “shelf registration” process. Under this shelf registration process, Abbott may, from time to time, sell debt securities under this prospectus. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities Abbott may offer. Each time Abbott sells securities, Abbott will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

As used in this Prospectus, “Abbott” refers to Abbott Laboratories, an Illinois corporation, or Abbott Laboratories and its consolidated subsidiaries, as the context requires.

ABBOTT LABORATORIES

Abbott Laboratories is an Illinois corporation, incorporated in 1900.  Abbott’s principal business is the discovery, development, manufacture, and sale of a broad line of health care products.  Abbott’s products are generally sold directly to retailers, wholesalers, hospitals, health care facilities, laboratories, physicians’ offices and government agencies throughout the world.

Abbott’s reportable segments are as follows:

Pharmaceutical Products—Worldwide sales of a broad line of pharmaceuticals.  For segment reporting purposes, two pharmaceutical divisions are aggregated and reported as the Pharmaceutical Products segment.

Nutritional Products—Worldwide sales of a broad line of adult and pediatric nutritional products.

Diagnostic Products—Worldwide sales of diagnostic systems and tests for blood banks, hospitals, commercial laboratories and alternate-care testing sites.  For segment reporting purposes, three diagnostic divisions are aggregated and reported as the Diagnostic Products segment.

Vascular Products—Worldwide sales of coronary, endovascular and vessel closure products.

Abbott purchases, in the ordinary course of business, raw materials and supplies essential to Abbott’s operations from numerous suppliers in the United States and abroad.  Abbott’s corporate offices are located at 100 Abbott Park Road, Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6400, and the telephone number is (847) 937-6100.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise specified in connection with a particular offering, Abbott will use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for general corporate purposes.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between Abbott and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to  J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association, successor to Bank One Trust Company, N.A.), as trustee. The following is a summary of the material provisions of the indenture and is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the indenture, including definitions of certain terms used in the indenture. Wherever Abbott refers to particular sections or defined terms of the indenture, those sections or defined terms are incorporated by reference in this prospectus or prospectus supplement. You should review the indenture that is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement for additional information.

The following summarizes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities. Each time Abbott offers debt securities, the prospectus supplement relating to that offering will describe the terms of the debt securities Abbott is offering.

2

Table of Contents

General

Abbott may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series without limitation as to aggregate principal amount. The debt securities will be Abbott’s unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and will rank equally and ratably with Abbott’s other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations.

Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities will be payable, and the transfer of debt securities will be registrable, at any office or agency maintained by Abbott for that purpose. The debt securities will be issued only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of the debt securities, but Abbott may require you to pay a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection with the transfer or exchange.

The prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of the debt securities Abbott is offering:

3

Table of Contents

Abbott may offer and sell the debt securities as original issue discount securities at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. The prospectus supplement will describe the federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to original issue discount securities and any debt securities the federal tax laws treat as having been issued with original issue discount. “Original issue discount securities” means any debt security that provides for an amount less than its principal amount to be due and payable upon the declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the debt security upon the occurrence and continuation of an “Event of Default.”

The indenture does not contain covenants or other provisions designed to afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, change in credit rating or other similar occurrence.

Book-Entry Securities

The debt securities will be represented by one or more global securities. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the global security representing the debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, New York, New York, or other successor depository Abbott appoints and registered in the name of the depository or its nominee. The debt securities will not be issued in definitive form unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement.

DTC will act as securities depository for the securities. The debt securities will be issued as fully-registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC’s partnership nominee). One fully-registered global security will be issued with respect to each $500 million of principal amount, and an additional certificate will be issued with respect to any remaining principal amount of debt securities.

DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is owned by a number of its direct participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (as successor to the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.).  Access to the DTC system is also available to indirect participants such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC. More information about DTC can be found at www.dtcc.com.

Purchases of debt securities under the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the debt securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each debt security will be recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records. These beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase, but beneficial owners are expected to receive a written confirmation providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which the beneficial owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the debt securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in debt securities, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the debt securities is discontinued.

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all debt securities deposited by participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co. The deposit of debt securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. will not change the beneficial ownership of the debt securities. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the debt securities; DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts the debt securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

4

Table of Contents

Delivery of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

Redemption notices shall be sent to DTC. If less than all of the debt securities within an issue are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant in such issue to be redeemed.

Neither DTC nor Cede & Co will consent or vote with respect to debt securities unless authorized by a direct participant in accordance with DTC’s procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an omnibus proxy to Abbott as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those direct participants to whose accounts the debt securities are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy).

Principal and interest payments, if any, on the debt securities will be made to Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts, upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from Abbott or the trustee, on the applicable payable date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of that participant and not of DTC, the trustee or Abbott, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of principal and interest to Cede & Co. is the responsibility of Abbott or the trustee. Disbursement of payments from Cede & Co. to direct participants is DTC’s responsibility. Disbursement of payments to beneficial owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.

A beneficial owner must give notice through a participant to a tender agent to elect to have its debt securities purchased or tendered. The beneficial owner must deliver debt securities by causing the direct participants to transfer the participant’s interest in the debt securities, on DTC’s records, to a tender agent. The requirement for physical delivery of debt securities in connection with an optional tender or a mandatory purchase is satisfied when the ownership rights in the debt securities are transferred by direct participants on DTC’s records and followed by a book-entry credit of tendered debt securities to the tender agent’s account.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depository for the debt securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to Abbott or the trustee. Under these circumstances, if a successor securities depository is not obtained, then debt security certificates must be delivered.

Abbott may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depository). In that event, debt security certificates will be printed and delivered.

The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that Abbott believes to be reliable, but Abbott takes no responsibility for their accuracy.

Certain Covenants of the Company

Restrictions on Secured Debt.  Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement with respect to any series of the debt securities, if Abbott or any domestic subsidiary incurs, issues, assumes or guarantees any indebtedness for borrowed money represented by notes, bonds, debentures or other similar evidences of indebtedness and that indebtedness is secured by a mortgage, pledge or other lien on any principal domestic property or on any shares of stock or debt of any domestic subsidiary, Abbott will secure, or cause its domestic subsidiary to secure, the debt securities equally and ratably with, or prior to, that indebtedness, so long as that indebtedness is to be secured. Abbott is not required to secure the debt securities, however, if after securing such debt securities, the aggregate amount of all secured indebtedness, together with all attributable debt in respect of sale and leaseback transactions involving principal domestic properties, would not exceed 15% of Abbott’s consolidated net assets. This restriction will not apply to, and there shall be excluded in computing secured indebtedness for the purpose of this restriction, indebtedness secured by:

5

Table of Contents

The following are the meanings of terms that are important in understanding the restrictive covenants described above:

·                  “subsidiary” means any corporation of which Abbott directly or indirectly owns or controls stock, which under ordinary circumstances, not dependent upon the happening of a contingency, has the voting power to elect a majority of that corporation’s board of directors. The term does not include any corporation that does not own a principal domestic property and Abbott’s chairman of the board, chief executive officer, an executive vice president, a senior vice president or a vice president and the chief financial officer or treasurer determine in good faith that Abbott’s existing aggregate investments, including those of its domestic subsidiaries, in the corporation are not of material importance to the total business conducted, or assets owned, by Abbott or its domestic subsidiaries.

·                  “domestic subsidiary” means a subsidiary of Abbott that transacts substantially all of its business or maintains substantially all of its property within the United States, excluding its territories, possessions and Puerto Rico, except a subsidiary that:

(1)                                  is engaged primarily in financing operations outside of the United States or in leasing personal property or financing inventory, receivables or other property; or

(2)                                  does not own a principal domestic property.

·                  “principal domestic property” means any building, structure or other facility, together with the land on which it is erected and fixtures comprising a part of it, used primarily for manufacturing, processing, research, warehousing or distribution, located in the United States, excluding its territories, possessions and Puerto Rico, owned or leased by Abbott or one of Abbott’s subsidiaries and having a net book value in excess of 2% of Abbott’s consolidated net assets, other than any such building, structure or other facility or a portion which is an air or water pollution control facility financed by state or local governmental obligations or which Abbott’s chairman of the board, chief executive officer, an executive vice president, a senior vice president or a vice president and the chief financial officer or treasurer determine in good faith is not of material importance to the total business conducted or assets owned by Abbott and its subsidiaries as an entirety.

·                  “consolidated net assets” means the aggregate amount of assets, less reserves and other deductible items, after deducting current liabilities, as shown on Abbott’s consolidated balance sheet contained in the latest annual report to Abbott’s stockholders and prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

·                  “attributable debt” means the present value (discounted at the rate of 8% each year compounded monthly) of the obligations for rental payments required to be paid during the remaining term of any lease of more than 12 months.

Restrictions on Sales and Leasebacks.  Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement with respect to any series of the debt securities, neither Abbott nor any domestic subsidiary may enter into any sale and leaseback transaction involving any principal domestic property, the acquisition or completion of construction and commencement of full operation of which has occurred more than 120 days prior thereto, unless:

·                  Abbott or the domestic subsidiary could incur debt secured by a mortgage on the property under the restrictions described above under “Restrictions on Secured Debt” in an amount equal to the attributable debt with respect to the sale and leaseback transaction without equally and ratably securing the debt securities; or

·                  Abbott, within 120 days after the sale or transfer by Abbott or any domestic subsidiary, applies to the retirement of Abbott’s funded debt, which is defined as indebtedness for borrowed money having a maturity of, or by its

6

Table of Contents

terms extendible for, a period of more than 12 months after the date of determination of the amount, an amount equal to the greater of:

(1)                                  the net proceeds of the sale of the principal domestic property sold and leased under such arrangement; or

(2)                                  the fair market value of the principal domestic property sold and leased,

subject to credits for certain voluntary retirements of funded debt.

Events of Default

With respect to a series of debt securities, any one of the following events will constitute an event of default under the indenture:

·                  failure to pay any interest on any debt security of that series when due, continued for 30 days;

·                  failure to pay principal of or any premium on any debt security of that series when due;

·                  failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when due, in respect of any debt security of that series;

·                  Abbott’s failure to perform, or breach of, any other covenant or warranty in the indenture, other than a covenant included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series, continued for 90 days after written notice as provided in the indenture;

·                  certain events involving the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Abbott; or

·                  any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series.

If any event of default occurs and continues, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25 percent in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the principal amount or, if the debt securities of that series are original issue discount securities, the portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of those debt securities, of all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately by a notice in writing to Abbott, and to the trustee if given by holders. The principal amount (or specified amount) will then be immediately due and payable. After acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration has been obtained, the holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul the acceleration.

Additional or different events of default applicable to a series of debt securities may be described in a prospectus supplement. An event of default of one series of debt securities is not necessarily an event of default for any other series of debt securities. The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are original issue discount securities will contain the particular provisions relating to acceleration of the stated maturity of a portion of the principal amount of that series of original issue discount securities upon the occurrence and continuation of an event of default.

The indenture provides that, subject to the duty of the trustee during default to act with the required standard of care, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders, unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable security or indemnity. Generally, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee.

A holder of any series of debt securities will not have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy, unless:

·                  the holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default;

·                  the holders of at least 25 percent in principal amount of the debt securities of that series have made written request to the trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee;

·                  the trustee has not instituted proceedings within 60 days after receipt of such notice; and

·                  the trustee shall not have received from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with such request during the 60 day period.

7

Table of Contents

However, these limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder for enforcement of payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on its debt securities on or after the respective due dates.

Abbott is required to furnish to the trustee annually a statement as to its performance of certain obligations under the indenture and as to any default.

Modification and Waiver

Abbott and the trustee may modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of not less than the majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series which is affected. Neither Abbott nor the trustee may, however, modify or amend the indenture without the consent of the holders of all debt securities affected if such action would:

·                  change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any debt security;

·                  reduce the principal amount of, or the premium payable upon redemption, if any, or, except as otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, interest on, any debt security, including in the case of an original issue discount security the amount payable upon acceleration of the maturity;

·                  change the place or currency of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any debt security;

·                  impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on any debt security on or after the stated maturity thereof, or in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date;

·                  reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for modification or amendment of the indenture or for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or for waiver of certain defaults; or

·                  modify certain provisions of the indenture, except to increase any percentage of principal amount whose holders are required to approve any change to such provision or to provide that certain other provisions of the indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of each holder affected.

The holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, on behalf of all holders of that series, waive compliance by Abbott with certain restrictive provisions of the indenture. The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, on behalf of all holders of that series, waive any past default under the indenture, except (1) a default in the payment of principal, premium or interest and (2) in respect of a covenant or provision of the indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of those holders of each outstanding debt security of that series who were affected.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

Abbott may not consolidate with or merge into any other company or entity or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety and may not permit any company or entity to merge into or consolidate with Abbott or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to Abbott, unless:

·                  in the case Abbott consolidates with or merges into another person or conveys, transfers or leases its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, the person formed by that consolidation or into which Abbott is merged or the person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, Abbott’s properties and assets substantially as an entirety is a corporation, partnership or trust organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State or the District of Columbia, and expressly assumes Abbott’s obligations on the debt securities under a supplemental indenture;

·                  immediately after giving effect to the transaction no event of default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, has occurred and is continuing;

·                  if Abbott’s properties or assets become subject to a mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or other encumbrance not permitted by the indenture, Abbott or such successor, as the case may be, takes the necessary steps to secure the debt securities equally and ratably with, or prior to, all indebtedness secured thereby; and

·                  Abbott has delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel stating compliance with these provisions.

8

Table of Contents

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

The indenture provides, unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement relating to that particular series of debt securities, that, at Abbott’s option, Abbott:

·                  will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of that series, except for certain obligations to register the transfer of or exchange of debt securities of that series, replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of that series, maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for payment in trust; or

·                  need not comply with certain restrictive covenants of the indenture, including those described in the section of the prospectus captioned, “Certain Covenants of the Company,” and the occurrence of an event described in the fourth bullet point in the section of the prospectus captioned, “Event of Default” will no longer be an event of default,

in each case, if Abbott deposits, in trust, with the trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms will provide money, in an amount sufficient to pay all the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities of that series on the dates such payments are due, which may include one or more redemption dates that Abbott designates, in accordance with the terms of the debt securities of that series.

Abbott may establish this trust only if, among other things:

·                  no event of default or event which with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an event of default under the indenture shall have occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit or insofar as an event of default resulting from certain events involving Abbott’s bankruptcy or insolvency at any time during the period ending on the 121st day after the date of the deposit or, if longer, ending on the day following the expiration of the longest preference period applicable to Abbott in respect of the deposit;

·                  the defeasance will not cause the trustee to have any conflicting interest with respect to any other of Abbott’s securities or result in the trust arising from the deposit to constitute, unless it is qualified as, a “regulated investment company”;

·                  the defeasance will not result, in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which Abbott is a party or by which Abbott is bound; and

·                  Abbott has delivered an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax in the same manner as if the defeasance had not occurred, which opinion of counsel, in the case of the first item above, must refer to and be based upon a published ruling of the Internal Revenue Service, a private ruling of the Internal Revenue Service addressed to Abbott, or otherwise a change in applicable federal income tax law occurring after the date of the indenture.

If Abbott fails to comply with its remaining obligations under the indenture after a defeasance of the indenture with respect to the debt securities of any series as described under the second item of the first sentence of this section and the debt securities of such series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, the amount of money and U.S. Government obligations on deposit with the trustee may be insufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from the event of default. Abbott will, however, remain liable for those payments.

Concerning the Trustee

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. is trustee under the indenture. The trustee performs services for Abbott in the ordinary course of business.

LEGAL OPINIONS

Certain legal matters in connection with the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for Abbott by Mayer Brown LLP, Chicago, Illinois, and for the underwriters, dealers and agents, if any, by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Chicago, Illinois. The opinions of Mayer Brown LLP and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP may be conditioned upon, and may be subject to certain assumptions regarding, future action required to be taken by Abbott and any underwriter(s), dealer(s) or agent(s) in connection with the issuance and sale of any securities. The opinions of Mayer Brown LLP and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP with respect to securities may be subject to other conditions and

9

Table of Contents

assumptions, as indicated in the prospectus supplement. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP from time to time also represents Abbott in connection with certain other matters.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of Abbott Laboratories’ internal control over financial reporting incorporated in this registration statement by reference from Abbott’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference (which report on the financial statements expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company’s adoption of new accounting standards in 2007 and 2006).  Such financial statements and financial statement schedule have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

The financial statements and the related financial statement schedule of TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. incorporated in this registration statement by reference from Abbott’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference.  Such financial statements and financial statement schedule have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Abbott files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document Abbott files with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Abbott’s SEC filings are also available to the public on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov.  Abbott’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Chicago Stock Exchange, the London Stock Exchange and the Swiss Stock Exchange, and information about Abbott also is available there.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that Abbott filed with the SEC. The SEC allows Abbott to “incorporate by reference” the information Abbott files with the SEC. This means that Abbott can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents that Abbott identifies as part of this prospectus. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Abbott incorporates by reference the documents listed below:

·                  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

·                  Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2008 filed on May 2, 2008, June 30, 2008 filed on July 25, 2008, and September 30, 2008 filed on November 3, 2008.

·                  Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on March 24, 2008, August 21, 2008, September 4, 2008, October 16, 2008, October 17, 2008, November 20, 2008 and January 15, 2009 (excluding the matters in Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.3 therein, which are not incorporated by reference herein).

Abbott also incorporates by reference any future filings it makes with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of the filing of this registration statement and before Abbott has terminated the offering. Abbott’s subsequent filings with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus.

You may obtain a copy of these filings at no cost by writing to or telephoning Abbott at the following address and telephone number:

Abbott Laboratories
100 Abbott Park Road
Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6020
Attention: Laura J. Schumacher,
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
and General Counsel
Phone: (847) 937-8905

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any supplement. Abbott has not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. This prospectus is an offer to sell or buy only the securities described in this document, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus is current and accurate only as of the date of this prospectus.

10

Table of Contents

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.  Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

An estimate of the various expenses in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Item 15.  Indemnification of Officers and Directors.

Restated Article R-VI of Abbott’s Restated Articles of Incorporation provides that Abbott shall, in the case of persons who are or were directors or officers of Abbott, and may, as to other persons, indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by law any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of Abbott, or is or was serving at the request of Abbott as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. The provisions of Article R-VI are applicable to all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding. Article R-VI also provides that Abbot shall, in the case of persons who are or were directors or officers of the corporation, and may as to such other persons, advance expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid by Abbott in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Section 8.75 of the Illinois Business Corporation Act provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, other than one brought on behalf of the corporation, against reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and settlement payments incurred in connection with the action, suit or proceeding, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be not opposed to the best interests of such corporation and, in criminal actions or proceedings, in addition, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. In the case of actions on behalf of the corporation, indemnification may extend only to reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit and only if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, provided that no such indemnification is permitted in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person is adjudged to be liable to the corporation except to the extent that the adjudicating court otherwise provides. To the extent that a present or former director, officer or employee of the corporation has been successful in defending any such action, suit or proceeding (even one on behalf of the corporation) or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person is entitled to indemnification for reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by such person in connection therewith if the person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be not opposed to the best interests of the corporation.

The indemnification provided for by the Illinois Business Corporation Act is not exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, and a corporation may maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent against liabilities for which indemnification is not expressly provided by the Illinois Business Corporation Act. Abbott’s directors and officers are insured under a directors and officers liability insurance policy maintained by Abbott.

Item 16.  Exhibits.

A list of exhibits filed herewith or incorporated by reference is contained in the Exhibit Index which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 17.  Undertakings.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

II-1

Table of Contents

II-2

Table of Contents

II-3

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the County of Lake, State of Illinois, on February 12, 2009.

Table of Contents

Each person whose signature appears below on this registration statement hereby constitutes and appoints Laura J. Schumacher and Thomas C. Freyman and each of them, with full power to act without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities (unless revoked in writing), to sign any and all amendments to the Registrant’s Form S-3 registration statement and any Registration Statement or amendment under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting to such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might and could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX