Hospira appoints new member of board of directors

Hospira has announced the addition of William Dempsey to its board of directors.

Mr Dempsey is a healthcare sector veteran who spent two years in positions of increasing responsibility at Abbott Laboratories, most recently serving as its executive vice-president for global pharmaceuticals.

He has been credited with helping to drive revenue and profitability growth at the company prior to his retirement in 2007, as well as improving research and development productivity and orchestrating key acquisitions and product launches.

Christopher Begley, executive chairman at Hospira, said: "His impressive track record of results-oriented leadership and operational experience in the healthcare field makes him an excellent fit for the Hospira board."

The company's board of directors has now been expanded to include 11 members, of whom nine are independent.

Last month, Hospira announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2011, during which it saw a year-on-year increase in net sales of almost ten percent.