Exhibit 12 Abbott Laboratories Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (Unaudited) (dollars in millions except ratios) Three Months Ended March 31, 2000 ------------------ Net Earnings ...................................................... $693 Add (deduct): Taxes on earnings ............................................ 256 Minority interest ............................................ 2 ------ Net Earnings as adjusted .......................................... $951 ------ Fixed Charges: Interest on long-term and short-term debt .................... 32 Capitalized interest cost .................................... (1) Rental expense representative of an interest factor .......... 11 ------ Total Fixed Charges ............................................... 42 ------ Total adjusted earnings available for payment of fixed charges .... $993 ====== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges ................................ 23.6 ====== NOTE: For the purpose of calculating this ratio, (i) earnings have been calculated by adjusting net earnings for taxes on earnings; interest expense; capitalized interest cost, net of amortization; minority interest; and the portion of rentals representative of the interest factor, (ii) Abbott considers one-third of rental expense to be the amount representing return on capital, and (iii) fixed charges comprise total interest expense, including capitalized interest and such portion of rentals.