Analysts differ on whether the FDA will issue a consent decree, which would heighten regulatory scrutiny. "We continue to believe a consent decree is the likely outcome given the systemic nature" of the manufacturing issues cited by the FDA, according to a research report by Jason Gerberry, an analyst at Boston-based health care investment bank Leerink Swann LLC. A representative of the FDA could not immediately be reached for comment. Remediation for pharmaceuticals and devices has cost $235 million so far, and Hospira plans to spend up to $375 million. The company also intends to begin shedding the number of third-party consultants at Rocky Mount, Mr. Ball said. The company works with about 150 external consultants, said Matthew Taylor, an analyst at New York-based Barclays Capital Inc.