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In 1985, the company developed the first HIV blood screening test. The company's drug portfolio includes the rheumatoid arthritis drug Humira , Norvir, a treatment for HIV, Depakote, an anticonvulsant drug, and Ensure for adult nutrition. Abbott also has a broad range of diagnostics and immunoassay products.
Abbott caused controversy in 2003 over a sharp rise in price of Norvir treatment from $1.71 per day to $8.57 per day, spurring claims of price gouging by consumer groups and some members of Congress. Critics point out that Abbott received $3,500,000 in grants from the United States taxpayers to develop Norvir, although the company has responded by pointing out of the nearly $200 million development cost for the drug.
Consumer rights group Essential Inventions petitioned the National Institutes of Health to override Abbot's patent on Norvir, but the agency refused to do so on August 4, 2004, citing potential widespread adverse effects on the pharmaceutical market.