some actions, the span of time needed to achieve certain restructuring and integration activities can be lengthy. For example, due to the highly regulated nature of the pharmaceutical business, the closure of excess facilities can take several years as all manufacturing changes are subject to extensive validation and testing and must be approved by the FDA. In other situations, we may be required by local laws to obtain approvals prior to terminating certain employees. This approval process can delay the termination action.

Discontinued Operations

Adjusted income is calculated prior to considering gains or losses on the sale of businesses and product lines included in discontinued operations as well as the related results of operations. We believe that this presentation is meaningful to investors because, while we review our businesses and product lines periodically for strategic fit with our operations, we do not build or run our businesses with an intent to sell them.

Cumulative Effect of a Change in Accounting Principles

Adjusted income is calculated prior to considering cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles. The cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles is generally one time in nature and not expected to occur as part of our normal business on a regular basis.

Certain Significant Items

Adjusted income is calculated prior to considering certain significant items. Certain significant items represent substantive, unusual items that are evaluated on an individual basis. Such evaluation considers both the quantitative and the qualitative aspect of their unusual nature. Unusual, in this context, may represent items that are not part of our ongoing business; items that, either as a result of their nature or size, we would not expect to occur as part of our normal business on a regular basis; items that would be non-recurring; or items that relate to products we no longer sell. While not all-inclusive, examples of items that could be included as certain significant items would be a major non-acquisition-related restructuring charge and associated implementation costs for a program which is specific in nature with a defined term, such as those related to our AtS initiative; costs

associated with a significant recall of one of our products; charges related to sales or disposals of products or facilities that do not qualify as discontinued operations as defined by U.S. GAAP; certain intangible asset impairments; adjustments related to the resolution of certain tax positions; the impact of adopting certain significant, event-driven tax legislation, such as charges attributable to the repatriation of foreign earnings in accordance with the Jobs Act; or possible charges related to legal matters, such as certain of those discussed in Legal Proceedings in our Form 10-K and in Part II: Other Information; Item 1, Legal Proceedings included in our Form 10-Q filings. Normal, ongoing defense costs of the Company or settlements and accruals on legal matters made in the normal course of our business would not be considered a certain significant item.

Reconciliation

A reconciliation between Net income, as reported under