It has not only hurt prescription niacin, sold by Abbott, but also older triglyceride-lowering drugs called fibrates, also sold by Abbott.

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Doctors always try to leave this up to patients, said Eric Bluman, Ms. Abbott's orthopedic surgeon, but they also explained the potential limitations of a foot that may never heal.

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Given the status of dividends in investors minds and wallets, it is not surprising that Abbott has elected not only to split itself in two, but also to split its dividend payout between the two new spin offs.

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