Back to GetFilings.com

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2003

OR

For the transition period from            to           

Commission file number    0-18443

MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION

8125 North Hayden Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-2463

(602) 808-8800

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES [X]  NO [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2) YES [X]  NO [  ]

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

1

Table of Contents

MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION

Table of Contents

2

Table of Contents

Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share amounts)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

Table of Contents

MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share amounts)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

Table of Contents

MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

Table of Contents

MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)

(in thousands)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

Table of Contents

MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2003
(unaudited)

1. ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

     Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries (“Medicis” or the “Company”) is the leading independent specialty pharmaceutical company focusing primarily on developing and marketing drugs in the United States for the treatment of dermatological, pediatric and podiatric conditions. The Company offers a broad range of drugs addressing various conditions including acne, fungal infections, asthma, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, photoaging, psoriasis, eczema, skin and skin-structure infections and seborrheic dermatitis. In November 2001, Medicis expanded into the pediatric market through its merger with Ascent Pediatrics, Inc. (“Ascent”). Ascent markets products to U.S.-based pediatricians, including an oral treatment for children with asthma and other inflammatory respiratory conditions and, subsequent to merging with Medicis, now markets dermatological products to pediatricians.

     Medicis has built its business by successfully executing a four-part growth strategy. This strategy consists of growing existing core brands, developing new products and important product line extensions, entering into strategic collaborations and acquiring complementary products, technologies and businesses.

     The accompanying interim consolidated condensed financial statements of Medicis have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, consistent in all material respects with those applied in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2002 (“fiscal 2002”). The financial information is unaudited but reflects all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, which are, in the opinion of the Company’s management, necessary to a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2002. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with current period presentation.

2. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

     At March 31, 2003, the Company has five stock-based employee compensation plans. The Company accounts for those plans under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (APB 25), Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related Interpretations. No stock-based employee compensation cost is reflected in net income, as all options granted under those plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.

     The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (SFAS No. 123), Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to stock-based employee compensation (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):

7

Table of Contents

     As required, the pro forma disclosures above include options granted since January 1, 1995. Consequently, the effects of applying SFAS No. 123 for providing pro forma disclosures may not be representative of the effects on reported net income for future years until all options outstanding are included in the pro forma disclosures. For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of stock-based compensation plans and other options is amortized to expense primarily over the vesting period.

3. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS AND ACCOUNTING FOR STRATEGIC COLLABORATIONS

     All research and development costs, including payments related to products under development, and research consulting agreements, are expensed as incurred. The Company makes up-front, non-refundable payments to third parties for new technologies and for research and development work that has been completed. These up-front payments may be expensed at the time of payment depending on the nature of the payment made.

     The Company’s policy on accounting for costs of strategic collaborations determines the timing of the recognition of certain development costs. In addition, this policy determines whether the cost is classified as development expense or capitalized as an asset. Management is required to form judgments with respect to the commercial status of such products in determining whether development costs meet the criteria for immediate expense or capitalization.

     On September 26, 2002, Medicis entered into an exclusive license and development agreement with Dow Pharmaceutical Sciences, Inc. (“Dow”) for the development and commercialization of a patented dermatologic product. Under terms of the agreement, Medicis made an initial payment of $5.4 million to Dow and in accordance with the agreement between the parties, is required to make potential additional payments upon the certification that certain development milestones have occurred. The initial $5.4 million payment under the contract was recorded as a charge to research and development expense during the quarter ended September 30, 2002. During the quarter ended March 31, 2003, a development milestone was successfully completed and the Company made a payment of $8.8 million to Dow. This payment was expensed in the quarter ended March 31, 2003. Future charges to research and development expense for the successful completion of additional development milestones could total as much as $2.1 million.

     On September 4, 2002, the Company purchased the Abbreviated New Drug Application (“ANDA”) for a pediatric prescription product from a third-party pharmaceutical company for $9.0 million. Under terms of the agreement, the Company may be required to make future contingent payments based on the achievement of certain milestones. The contingent payments, if the milestones are achieved, would be payable at the six (6)-, twelve (12)-, and eighteen (18)-month anniversaries of the closing of the agreement. During the quarter ended March 31, 2003, a milestone was achieved and a $4.0 million contingent payment was earned by the third-party pharmaceutical company. The Company accounted for the initial payment

8

Table of Contents

and the contingent payment as an acquisition of an intangible asset and commenced amortizing the asset over 15 years beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2003.

4. ACQUISITION OF RESTYLANE^® FAMILY OF PRODUCTS FROM THE Q-MED GROUP

     On March 7, 2003, Medicis acquired all outstanding shares of HA North American Sales AB from the Q-Med Group (“Q-Med”), a Swedish biotechnology/medical device company. HA North American Sales AB holds a license for the exclusive U.S. and Canadian rights to market, distribute and commercialize the dermal restorative product lines known as RESTYLANE^®, PERLANE^™ and RESTYLANE^® Fine Lines. The RESTYLANE^®, PERLANE^™ and RESTYLANE^® Fine Lines products are currently being sold in over 60 countries by Q-Med, but are not yet approved for use in the United States. The products are approved for use in Canada. Under terms of the agreements, a wholly owned subsidiary of Medicis acquired all outstanding shares of HA North American Sales AB for total consideration of approximately $160.0 million, payable upon the successful completion of certain milestones or events. Medicis paid $58.2 million upon closing of the transaction, and will pay approximately $53.3 million upon U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approval of RESTYLANE^®, approximately $19.4 million upon certain cumulative commercial milestones being achieved and approximately $29.1 million upon FDA approval of PERLANE^™. As of March 31, 2003, the Company additionally incurred approximately $3.1 million of costs related to the due diligence and execution of the transaction, consisting of approximately $2.9 million of professional services and approximately $0.2 million of other costs. Payments and costs related to this acquisition are capitalized as an intangible asset and are amortized over 15 years beginning in March 2003.

     RESTYLANE^®, PERLANE^™ and RESTYLANE^® Fine Lines are injectable, transparent, non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid (“NASHA”) gels, which require no patient sensitivity tests in advance of product administration in countries where they are marketed currently. These “tissue tailored,” transparent, injectable products have varying gel particle sizes which provide physicians in countries where the products are approved with flexibility in treating fine lines and wrinkles, shaping facial contours, correcting deep facial folds and enhancing the appearance and fullness of lips. In countries where the products are currently marketed, pre-packaged, glass syringes provide physicians with various options to treat nasolabial folds, glabellar lines, periorbital lines, perioral lines, vermillion borders, lips, chins, cheeks, smile lines, worry lines and oral commissures. In the United States, the FDA regulates these products as medical devices. A pre-market approval application for RESTYLANE^® was filed in June 2002 with the FDA and is currently under review. While Medicis cannot speculate on any expected date of approval by the FDA, the Company believes it is possible that an approval could be received as early as during the Company’s fiscal year 2004. The Company does not know if the applications will be approved or the conditions of use, and the Company cannot know whether the products will be approved in the United States under the same conditions of marketing outside the United States.

5. LICENSE OF PRODUCTS TO TARO PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.

     On January 14 2003, Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (“Taro”) licensed with an option to purchase from Medicis four branded prescription product lines for sale in the United States and Puerto Rico. The license agreement was effective on January 14, 2003 and extends through June 1, 2004, after which Taro may purchase the product lines. Medicis will receive quarterly license payments from Taro during the term of the agreement. If Taro chooses to purchase the product lines at the end of the term of the agreement, the purchase price will be $12.1 million. Under terms of the agreement, Taro is licensing from Medicis the following four brands: TOPICORT^® (desoximetasone), a topical corticosteroid used for inflammatory skin diseases; A/T/S^® (erythromycin), a topical antibiotic used in the treatment of acne; OVIDE^® (malathion), a pediculicide used in the treatment of head lice; and PRIMSOL^® (trimethoprim HCI), an antibiotic oral solution for children with acute otitis media, or middle ear infections.

6. MERGER OF ASCENT PEDIATRICS, INC.

     As part of its merger with Ascent completed in November 2001, the Company may be required to make contingent purchase price payments for each of the first five years following closing based upon reaching certain sales threshold milestones on the Ascent products for each twelve month period ended

9

Table of Contents

November 15, 2006. From time to time the Company assesses the probability and likelihood of payment in the coming respective November period based on current sales trends. There can be no assurance that such payment will ultimately be made nor is the accrual of a liability an indication of current sales levels. As of March 31, 2003, the second-year threshold had been deemed to be probable, and approximately $10.7 million was recorded as additional goodwill and as a short-term contract obligation. The Company will reassess the recorded obligation during the remainder of the twelve-month period ended November 15, 2003 based on actual events. A total of approximately $18.4 million is included in short-term contract obligation in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2003, representing the first two years’ contingent payments. Pursuant to the merger agreement, payment of the contingent portion of the purchase price will be withheld pending the final outcome of the litigation discussed in Note 15.

7. SEGMENT AND PRODUCT INFORMATION

     The Company operates in one significant business segment: pharmaceuticals. The Company’s current pharmaceutical franchises are divided between the dermatological and non-dermatological fields. The dermatological field represents products for the treatment of acne and acne-related dermatological conditions and non-acne dermatological conditions. The non-dermatological field represents products for the treatment of asthma and Urea Cycle Disorder. The acne and acne-related dermatological product lines include DYNACIN^®, PLEXION^® and TRIAZ^®. The non-acne dermatological product lines include ESOTERICA^®, LIDEX^®, LOPROX^®, LUSTRA^®, OMNICEF^® and SYNALAR^®. The non-dermatological product lines include BUPHENYL^® and ORAPRED^®.

     The Company’s pharmaceutical products, with the exception of BUPHENYL^®, are promoted to dermatologists, podiatrists and/or pediatricians. Such products are often prescribed by physicians outside these three specialties, including family practitioners, general practitioners, primary-care physicians, plastic surgeons and OB/GYNs, as well as physicians based in hospitals, governmental agencies and others. All products, with the exception of BUPHENYL^®, are sold primarily to wholesalers and retail chain drug stores. BUPHENYL^® is primarily sold directly to hospitals and pharmacies.

     The percentage of net revenues for each of the product categories is as follows:

8. INVENTORIES

     The Company utilizes third parties to manufacture and package inventories held for sale, takes title to certain inventories once manufactured, and warehouses such goods until packaged for final distribution and sale. Inventories consist of salable products held at the Company’s warehouses, as well as raw materials and components at the manufacturers’ facilities, and are valued at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out method. The Company provides valuation reserves for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory in an amount equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions.

     Inventories at March 31, 2003 and June 30, 2002, are as follows (amounts in thousands):

10

Table of Contents

9. CONTINGENT CONVERTIBLE SENIOR NOTES

     On June 4, 2002 and June 10, 2002, the Company sold in aggregate $400.0 million principal amount of its 2.5% Contingent Convertible Notes Due 2032 (the “Notes”) in private transactions. The Notes bear interest at a rate of 2.5% per annum, which is payable on June 4 and December 4 of each year, beginning on December 4, 2002. The Company also will pay contingent interest at a rate equal to 0.5% per annum during any six-month period, with the initial six-month period commencing June 4, 2007, if the average trading price of the Notes reaches certain thresholds. The Notes will mature on June 4, 2032.

     The Company may redeem some or all of the Notes at any time on or after June 11, 2007, at a redemption price, payable in cash, of 100% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest. Holders of the Notes may require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of their Notes on June 4, 2007, 2012 and 2017, and upon a change in control, as defined in the indenture governing the Notes, at 100% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of the repurchase, payable in cash.

     The Notes are convertible, at the holders’ option, prior to the maturity date into shares of the Company’s Class A common stock in the following circumstances:

	•		during any quarter commencing after June 30, 2002, if the closing price of the Company’s Class A common stock over a specified number of trading days during the previous quarter is more than 110% of the conversion price of the Notes, or $63.91, on the last trading day of the previous quarter. The Notes are initially convertible at a conversion price of $58.10 per share, which is equal to a conversion rate of approximately 17.217 shares per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, subject to adjustment;
	•		if the Company has called the Notes for redemption;
	•		during the five trading day period immediately following any nine consecutive day trading period in which the trading price of the Notes per $1,000 principal amount for each day of such period was less than 95% of the product of the closing sale price of the Company’s Class A common stock on that day multiplied by the number of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of $1,000 principal amount of the Notes; or
	•		upon the occurrence of specified corporate transactions.
			As of March 31, 2003, none of the Notes had been converted.

                The Notes, which are unsecured, do not contain any restrictions on the payment of dividends, the incurrence of additional indebtedness or the repurchase of the Company’s securities and do not contain any financial covenants.

10. INCOME TAXES

     Income taxes have been provided for using the liability method in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” The provision for income taxes reflects management’s estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year. This estimate is re-evaluated by management each quarter based on the Company’s estimated tax expense for the year.

     At March 31, 2003, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $18.8 million that begin expiring in varying amounts in the years 2008 through 2021 if not previously utilized. All of the net operating loss carryforwards are attributable to the Company’s merger with Ascent.

     The Company took advantage of additional tax deductions available relating to the exercise of non-qualified stock options and disqualified dispositions of incentive stock options. Accordingly, the Company recorded a $0.2 million and $2.3 million increase to equity with a corresponding $0.2 million and $2.3 million reduction to taxes payable for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2003, respectively. Quarterly adjustments for the exercise of non-qualified stock options and disqualified dispositions of incentive stock options may vary as they relate to the actions of the option holder or shareholder.

11

Table of Contents

11. STOCK REPURCHASE PLAN

     During the three months ended March 31, 2003, Medicis did not purchase any of its shares of Class A common stock. During the nine months ended March 31, 2003, Medicis purchased 928,300 shares of its Class A common stock in the open market at an average price of $38.74 per share. These stock purchases were made in accordance with a stock repurchase program that was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors in May 1999. This program provides for the repurchase of up to $75 million of Class A common stock at such times as management may determine. The Company has repurchased a total of approximately $50.2 million toward the $75 million as of March 31, 2003.

12. DEFERRED COMPENSATION

     In July 2001, Medicis granted 55,000 restricted shares of Class A common stock to certain employees. The Company recorded deferred compensation of $2,577,850, representing the market price of the shares at the date of grant. The amount of deferred compensation is presented as a reduction of stockholders’ equity and is being amortized ratably over the service period of the employees receiving the grants. The shares begin vesting two years after the grant date, and become fully vested five years after the grant date. During the three months ended December 31, 2002, 10,000 shares were reacquired by the Company due to an employee departure, and the Company reversed approximately $111,000 of previously amortized compensation expense due to the reacquisition. That employee returned to the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2003, and Medicis granted that employee 10,000 new restricted shares of Class A common stock. The Company recorded deferred compensation of $466,000, representing the market price of the shares at the date of grant.

     The Company expects to record compensation expense related to deferred compensation of approximately $129,000 per quarter through September 30, 2006, and approximately $23,000 per quarter thereafter through March 31, 2008. Expense with respect to the grants could be reduced and/or reversed to the extent employees receiving the grants leave the Company prior to vesting in the award.

13. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

     Total comprehensive income includes net income and other comprehensive income, which consists of foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments. Total comprehensive income for the three months and nine months ended March 31, 2003, was $10.2 million and $38.6 million, respectively. Total comprehensive income for the three months and nine months ended March 31, 2002, was $15.1 million and $37.5 million, respectively.

12

Table of Contents

14. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

     The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (in thousands, except per share amounts):

     The diluted net income per common share computation for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2003 excludes 3,049,397 and 3,145,555 shares of stock, respectively, which represented outstanding stock options whose exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares during the respective fiscal years and were anti-dilutive. The diluted net income per common share computation for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2002 excludes 148,247 and 1,839,610 shares of stock, respectively, which represented outstanding stock options whose exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares during the respective fiscal years and were anti-dilutive. The diluted net income per share for the third quarter and the first nine months of fiscal 2003 also excludes 6,884,681 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Contingent Convertible Senior Notes based upon those shares’ underlying common stock conversion price of $58.10.

15. CONTINGENCIES

     On November 9, 2001, prior to its merger with Medicis, Ascent received notice that Triumph-Connecticut Limited Partnership and related parties (“Triumph”) had brought a civil action against it in Massachusetts. In the action, the Triumph group claims that the execution by Ascent of the merger agreement and the consummation of the merger without the consent of the Triumph group or the payment to the Triumph group of a specified amount breaches the terms of a January 1997 securities purchase agreement, the terms of warrants issued to the Triumph group, an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and certain deceptive trade laws. The Triumph group is seeking damages in an amount not less than $22.1 million, plus treble damages. A trial in the action has been rescheduled for late calendar 2003. The Company believes that the claims of the Triumph group are without merit and we are vigorously contesting and defending this suit.

     The Company and certain of its subsidiaries are parties to other actions and proceedings incident to their businesses, including litigation regarding its intellectual property, challenges to the enforceability or validity of its intellectual property and claims that its products infringe on the intellectual property rights of others.

13

Table of Contents

     The Company believes that the ultimate outcome with respect to any of these matters, based on the information currently available to the Company, is either covered by insurance and/or established reserves, or in some cases rights of offset, or in the aggregate should not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial position or results of operations. There can be no assurance, however, that an adverse determination on any action or proceeding will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations, or that the Company will be able to realize the full amount of any indemnification obligation or offset that any person may have to the Company or that any such indemnification or offset will adequately cover any liability.

16. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

     In December 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure (“SFAS No. 148”). SFAS No. 148 amends SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to provide alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. In addition, SFAS No. 148 amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123 to require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reporting results. The Company adopted SFAS No. 148 on January 1, 2003 and has provided the disclosures required under SFAS No. 148 in Note 2.

     In January 2003, the FASB issued FIN No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51.” FIN No. 46 requires certain variable interest entities, or VIEs, to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary of the entity if the equity investors in the entity do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. FIN No. 46 is effective for all VIEs created or acquired after January 31, 2003. For VIEs created or acquired prior to February 1, 2003, the provisions of FIN No. 46 must be applied for the first interim or annual period beginning after June 15, 2003. The Company currently has no contractual relationship or other business relationship with a variable interest entity and therefore the adoption of FIN No. 46 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

     We are the leading independent specialty pharmaceutical company focusing primarily on developing and marketing drugs in the United States for the treatment of dermatological, pediatric and podiatric conditions. We believe that annual U.S. pharmaceutical sales in these markets exceed $10 billion. We offer a broad range of products addressing various conditions including acne, fungal infections, asthma, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, photoaging, psoriasis, eczema, skin and skin-structure infections and seborrheic dermatitis.

     We derive a majority of our prescription volume from our core products. We believe that the prescription volume of our core products will constitute the majority of our prescription volume for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, any factor adversely affecting the prescription volume related to our core products, individually or collectively, could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. Several of our core products are subject to generic competition currently or may be in the future. Each of our core products could be rendered obsolete or uneconomical by regulatory or competitive changes.

     As a result of customer buying patterns, a substantial portion of our revenues has historically been recognized in the last month of each quarter. We schedule our inventory purchases to meet anticipated customer demand. As a result, relatively small delays in the receipt of manufactured products by us could result in revenues being deferred or lost. Our operating expenses are based upon anticipated sales levels, and a high percentage of our operating expenses are relatively fixed in the short term. Consequently, variations in the timing of revenue recognition could cause significant fluctuations in operating results from

14

Table of Contents

period to period and may result in unanticipated periodic earnings shortfalls or losses. There can be no assurance that we will maintain or increase revenues or profitability or avoid losses in any future period.

     We estimate customer demand for our products primarily through use of third party syndicated data sources which track prescriptions written by health care providers and dispensed by licensed pharmacies. These data are extrapolations from information provided only by certain pharmacies, and are estimates of historical demand levels. We observe trends from these data, and, coupled with certain proprietary information, prepare demand forecasts that are the basis for purchase orders for finished and component inventory from our third party manufacturers and suppliers. Our forecasts may fail to accurately anticipate ultimate customer demand for products. Overestimates of demand may result in excessive inventory production; underestimates may result in inadequate supply of our products in channels of distribution.

     We sell our products primarily to major wholesalers and retail pharmacy chains. Consistent with pharmaceutical industry patterns, approximately 80% of our revenues are derived from four major drug wholesale concerns. While we attempt to estimate inventory levels of our products at our major wholesale customers, using historical prescription information and historical purchase patterns, this process is inherently imprecise. Rarely do wholesale customers provide us complete inventory levels at regional distribution centers, or within their national distribution systems. We rely wholly upon our wholesale and drug chain customers to effect the distribution allocation of our products. There can be no assurance that these customers will adequately manage their local and regional inventories to avoid spot outages. Based upon historically consistent purchasing patterns of our major wholesale customers, we believe our estimates of trade inventory levels of our products are reasonable. We further believe that inventories of our products among wholesale customers, taken as a whole, are similar to those of other specialty pharmaceutical companies, and that our trade practices, which periodically involve volume discounts and early payment discounts, are typical of the industry.

     We periodically offer promotions to wholesale and chain drugstore customers to encourage dispensing of our products, consistent with prescriptions written by licensed health care providers. Because many of our products compete in multi-source markets, it is important for us to ensure the licensed health care providers’ dispensing instructions are fulfilled with our branded products and are not substituted with a generic product or another therapeutic alternative product which may be contrary to the licensed health care providers’ recommended prescribed Medicis brand. We believe that a critical component of our brand protection program is maintenance of full product availability at drugstore and wholesale customers. We believe such availability strongly reduces the probability of local and regional product substitutions, shortages and backorders, which could result in lost sales. We expect to continue providing favorable terms to wholesale and retail drug chain customers as may be necessary to ensure the fullest possible distribution of our branded products within the pharmaceutical chain of commerce.

     We cannot control or influence greatly the purchasing patterns of wholesale and retail drug chain customers. These are highly sophisticated customers that purchase products in a manner consistent with their industry practices and perceived business interests. Our sales are subject to the purchase requirements of our major customers, which, presumably, are based upon their projected demand levels. Purchases by any given customer, during any given measurement period, may be above or below actual prescription volumes of one or more of our products during the same measurement period, resulting in increases or decreases in product inventory existing in the distribution channel, which are managed presumably in accordance with such customer’s business practices.

     We plan to spend substantial amounts of capital to continue the acquisition and research and development of pharmaceutical products. Actual expenditures will depend upon our financial condition, as well as the results of clinical testing, delays or changes in government-required testing and approval procedures, technological and competitive developments, and strategic marketing decisions. We may increase total expenditures for research and development and expect that research and development expenditures as a percentage of net revenues will fluctuate from period to period. We periodically make up-front, non-refundable payments to third parties for research and development work that has been completed. If there is no recourse provision against the third party for their failure to perform future services to earn

15

Table of Contents

such amounts paid, these up-front payments are expensed at the time of payment. Payments made for product rights whereby the product has received regulatory approval for sale are capitalized and amortized over the expected revenue-producing period.

     To enable us to focus on our core selling and marketing activities, we selectively outsource certain non-sales and non-marketing functions, such as laboratory research, manufacturing, warehousing and distributing. As we expand our activities in these areas, additional financial resources are expected to be utilized. The duration of our manufacturing contracts and other agreements with third parties vary in length.

Results of Operations

     The following table sets forth certain data, as a percentage of net revenues, for the periods indicated.

*		Included in operating expenses is $8.8 million (or 14.1% of net revenues) for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and $14.2 million (or 7.9% of net revenues) for the nine months ending March 31, 2003 related to a research and development collaboration with Dow.
**		Included in operating expenses is a $6.2 million charge (4.0% of net revenues) for the nine months ended March 31, 2002 for in-process research and development related to the merger with Ascent.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2003 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2002

Net Revenues

     Net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2003 (the “third quarter of fiscal 2003”) increased 10.5%, or $6.0 million, to $62.6 million from $56.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2002 (the “third quarter of fiscal 2002”). Our net revenues increased in the third quarter of fiscal 2003 primarily as a result of growth in sales of the BUPHENYL^®, LOPROX^® and ORAPRED^® products. The growth in sales of the LOPROX^® product line is the primary cause of the non-acne dermatological product segment growth from 24.3% of total net revenues during the third quarter of fiscal 2002 to 28.7% during the third quarter of fiscal 2003. The growth in sales of ORAPRED^® and BUPHENYL^® products were the primary cause of the non-dermatological product segment growth from 32.9% of total net revenues during the third quarter of fiscal 2002 to 45.8% during the third quarter of fiscal 2003. The acne and acne-related dermatological product segment decreased as a percentage of total net revenues from 42.7% during the third quarter of fiscal 2002 to 25.5% during the third quarter of fiscal 2003 primarily due to a decrease in sales of the DYNACIN^® product line.

Gross Profit

     Gross profit during the third quarter of fiscal 2003 increased 13.2%, or $6.2 million, to $53.5 million from $47.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2002. As a percentage of net revenues, gross profit increased to 85.4% in the third quarter of fiscal 2003 from 83.4% in the third quarter of fiscal 2002. The increase was primarily due to a higher percentage of total sales related to our BUPHENYL^®, LOPROX^® and ORAPRED^®

16

Table of Contents

products, which enjoy higher gross profit percentages than our other products. Amortization of intangible assets related to products sold are not included in gross profit.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

     Selling, general and administrative expenses in the third quarter of fiscal 2003 increased 10.5%, or $2.3 million, to $23.8 million from $21.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2002. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in personnel costs, which increased due to hiring of additional full-time equivalent employees primarily performing sales and marketing functions, operational expenses related to the acquired RESTYLANE^® family of products and an increase in variable costs commensurate with increased sales volume. As a percentage of net revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses remained constant at 38.0% from third quarter of fiscal 2003 to the third quarter of fiscal 2002.

Research and Development Expenses

     Research and development expenses in the third quarter of fiscal 2003 increased $9.3 million, to $11.2 million from $1.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2002. This increase was primarily due to a $8.8 million charge for a milestone payment under a license and development agreement with Dow for a patented dermatologic product. Absent this charge, research and development expense increased 23.5%, or $0.5 million, to $2.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2003 from $1.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2002. This increase is due to the timing of various research and development projects. We expect research and development expenses to fluctuate from quarter to quarter based on the timing of development projects and the funds available to support these projects.

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

     Depreciation and amortization expenses in the third quarter of fiscal 2003 increased 30.7%, or $0.6 million, to $2.6 million from $2.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2002, primarily due to the amortization expense related to our acquisition of the RESTYLANE^® family of products which began in March 2003.

Operating Income

     Operating income during the third quarter of fiscal 2003 decreased 27.0%, or $5.9 million, to $15.9 million, from $21.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2002. Operating income during the third quarter of fiscal 2003 included a milestone payment of $8.8 million related to a research and development collaboration with Dow. Absent this payment, operating income increased 13.4%, or $2.9 million, from $21.8 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2002, to $24.7 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2003, primarily due to an increase in sales volume offset by an increase in operating expenses. As a percentage of net revenues, operating income during the third quarter of fiscal 2003 increased to 39.5% of net revenues from 38.5% of net revenues in the third quarter of 2002, excluding the $8.8 million milestone payment related to a development collaboration with Dow which was paid in the third quarter of fiscal 2003.

Interest Income

     Interest income in the third quarter of fiscal 2003 increased 30.6%, or $0.7 million, to $3.0 million from $2.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2002, primarily due to an increase in cash available for investment from our issuance of our Contingent Convertible Senior Notes (the “Notes”) during June 2002 and an increase in cash flows from operations.

Interest Expense

     Interest expense in the third quarter of fiscal 2003 increased $3.1 million, to $3.1 million from $4,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2002, primarily due to the issuance of our Notes during June 2002. Interest payable on these Notes accrues at 2.5% per annum. In addition, amortization of deferred financing costs related to the Notes is recognized as interest expense over the term of the Notes. Total interest expense recognized during the third quarter of fiscal 2003 related to these Notes, including the amortization of deferred financing costs, was approximately $3.1 million.

17

Table of Contents

Income Tax Expense

     Income tax expense during the third quarter of fiscal 2003 decreased 32.7%, or $2.7 million, to $5.5 million, from $8.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2002. The provision for income taxes recorded for the third quarter of fiscal 2003 reflects management’s estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year. This estimate is re-evaluated by management each quarter based upon forecasts of income before taxes for the year. We estimate the effective tax rate for fiscal 2003 to be approximately 35%. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of fiscal 2002 was 34%.

Net Income

     Net income during the third quarter of fiscal 2003 decreased 35.6%, or $5.7 million, to $10.2 million from $15.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2002. The decrease is primarily a result of the $8.8 million charge related to a research and development collaboration with Dow which was paid during the third quarter of fiscal 2003.

Nine Months Ended March 31, 2003 Compared to the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2002

Net Revenues

     Net revenues for the nine months ended March 31, 2003 (the “2003 nine months”) increased 16.5%, or $25.6 million, to $180.8 million from $155.2 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2002 (the “2002 nine months”). Our net revenues increased in the 2003 nine months primarily as a result of growth in sales of the BUPHENYL^®, LOPROX^®, OMNICEF^®, ORAPRED^® and TRIAZ^® products. ORAPRED^® was purchased by the Company on November 15, 2001 as part of the merger with Ascent. The growth in sales of the LOPROX^® and OMNICEF^® product lines is the primary cause of the non-acne dermatological product segment growth from 30.8% of total net revenues during the 2002 nine months to 39.7% during the 2003 nine months. The growth in sales of the ORAPRED^® and BUPHENYL^® product lines is the primary cause of the non-dermatological products segment growth from 23.0% of total net revenues during the 2002 nine months to 28.7% during the 2003 nine months. The acne and acne-related dermatological product segment decreased as a percentage of total net revenues from 46.2% during the 2002 nine months to 31.7% during the 2003 nine months primarily due to a decrease in sales of the DYNACIN^® product line.

Gross Profit

     Gross profit during the 2003 nine months increased 18.7%, or $24.1 million, to $153.3 million from $129.1 million in the 2002 nine months. As a percentage of net revenues, gross profit increased to 84.7% in the 2003 nine months from 83.2% in the 2002 nine months. The increase was primarily due to a higher percentage of total sales related to our LOPROX^®, OMNICEF^® and ORAPRED^® products, which enjoy higher gross profit percentages than our other products. Amortization of intangible assets related to products sold are not included in gross profit.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

     Selling, general and administrative expenses in the 2003 nine months increased 17.8%, or $10.2 million, to $67.7 million from $57.5 million in the 2002 nine months. This increase was primarily attributable to a full nine months of costs associated with the Ascent sales force, including salaries and travel expenses, and increases in personnel costs related to the hiring of additional full-time equivalents, yearly salary escalations for existing employees, operational expenses related to the acquired RESTYLANE^® family of products and an increase in variable costs commensurate with increased sales volume. Ascent merged with us on November 15, 2001, and consists of approximately 75 field personnel. As a percentage of net revenues, selling, general, and administrative expenses increased from 37.0% of net revenues during the 2002 nine months to 37.5% of net revenues during the 2003 nine months.

Research and Development Expenses

     Research and development expenses in the 2003 nine months increased $16.1 million, to $21.3 million from $5.2 million in the 2002 nine months. This increase was primarily due to $14.2 million in milestone payments under a license and development agreement with Dow for a patented dermatologic

18

Table of Contents

product. Absent these charges, research and development expenses increased 37.0%, or $1.9 million, to $7.1 million during the 2003 nine months from $5.2 million during the 2002 nine months. This increase is due to the timing of various research and development projects. We expect research and development expenses to fluctuate from quarter to quarter based on the timing of development projects and the funds available to support these projects.

In-Process Research and Development Expense

     We recorded a $6.2 million charge to operations for in-process research and development during the 2002 nine months as part of the allocated purchase price related to the merger with Ascent. The amount allocated to in-process research and development was based on an independent valuation of Ascent’s completed and in-process technologies. There were no in-process research and development charges in the 2003 nine months.

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

     Depreciation and amortization expenses in the 2003 nine months increased $0.8 million, to $6.7 million from $5.9 million in the 2002 nine months. Amortization of expenses associated with the acquisition of the RESTYLANE^® family of products began in March 2003.

Operating Income

     Operating income during the 2003 nine months increased 5.7%, or $3.1 million, to $57.4 million from $54.3 million in the 2002 nine months. Operating income during the 2003 nine months included milestone payments totaling $14.2 million related to a research and development collaboration with Dow. Operating income during the 2002 nine months included a charge to operations of $6.2 million for in-process research and development relating to the Ascent merger. Absent these charges, operating income increased 18.3% or $11.1 million from $60.5 million during the 2002 nine months, to $71.6 million during the 2003 nine months, primarily due to an increase in sales volume offset by an increase in operating expenses.

Interest Income

     Interest income in the 2003 nine months increased 27.2%, or $2.1 million, to $9.6 million from $7.5 million in the 2002 nine months, primarily due to an increase in cash available for investment from the issuance of our Notes during June 2002 and an increase in cash flows from operations.

Interest Expense

     Interest expense in the 2003 nine months increased $9.0 million, to $9.4 million from $0.4 million in the 2002 nine months, primarily due to the issuance of our Notes during June 2002. Interest payable on these Notes accrues at 2.5% per annum. In addition, amortization of deferred financing costs related to the Notes is recognized as interest expense over the term of the Notes. Total interest expense recognized during the 2003 nine months related to these Notes, including the amortization of deferred financing costs, was approximately $9.4 million.

Income Tax Expense

     Income tax expense during the 2003 nine months decreased 13.1%, or $3.1 million, to $20.1 million, from $23.2 million in the 2002 nine months. The provision for income taxes recorded for the 2003 nine months reflects management’s estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year. This estimate is re-evaluated by management each quarter based upon forecasts of income before taxes for the year. We estimate the effective tax rate for fiscal 2003 to be approximately 35%. The effective tax rate for the 2002 nine months was 37.7%, which was the result of the $6.2 million charge that we recorded for in-process research and development related to the Ascent merger which was non-deductible for tax purposes.

19

Table of Contents

Net Income

     Net income during the 2003 nine months decreased 2.3%, or $0.9 million, to $37.4 million from $38.3 million in the 2002 nine months. Net income during the 2003 nine months included tax-effected milestone payments of $8.9 million related to a research and development collaboration with Dow. Net income during the 2002 nine months included a charge to operations of $6.2 million for in-process research and development relating to the Ascent merger. Absent these charges, net income increased 4.2% or $1.8 million from $44.5 million during the 2002 nine months, to $46.4 million during the 2003 nine months.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     Net cash provided by operating activities for the 2003 nine months increased 28.6%, or $15.2 million, to $68.6 million, from $53.4 million in the 2002 nine months. The increase was primarily attributable to net changes in operating assets and liabilities, partially offset by a decrease in the tax benefit from the exercise of stock options due to a decrease in exercise activity during the 2003 nine months as compared to the 2002 nine months.

     Net cash used in investing activities for the 2003 nine months increased 40.8%, or $57.1 million, to $197.0 million, from $139.9 million in the 2002 nine months. The change was primarily due to increased purchases of available-for-sale investments during the 2003 nine months as compared to the 2002 nine months due to an increase in cash available for investment from the issuance of our Notes during June 2002.

     Net cash used in financing activities for the 2003 nine months was $28.3 million as compared to cash provided by financing activities of $9.4 million during the 2002 nine months. The change is primarily attributable to the purchase of $36.0 million of treasury stock during the 2003 nine months as compared to the purchase of $4.3 million of treasury stock during the 2002 nine months.

     We had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $538.6 million and working capital of $551.0 million at March 31, 2003, as compared to $577.6 million and $611.3 million, respectively, at June 30, 2002. The decreases are primarily the result of the purchase of $36.0 million of treasury stock and the payment of $77.3 million for the purchase of product rights, net of operating cash generated during the nine months ended March 31, 2003. The $77.3 million of cash used for the purchase of product rights included approximately $61.3 million related to our acquisition of the RESTYLANE^® family of products, approximately $9.3 million related to the purchase of an ANDA for a pediatric prescription product from a third-party pharmaceutical company and approximately $6.7 million related to purchases of other product rights.

     Except for $400 million of Contingent Convertible Senior Notes due in 2032 and a $2.1 million deferred tax liability, we have no long-term liabilities and had only $75.3 million of current liabilities at March 31, 2003. Our other commitments and planned expenditures consist principally of payments we will make in connection with strategic collaborations and research and development expenditures, and we will continue to invest in sales and marketing infrastructure. Management believes existing cash and short-term investments, together with funds generated from operations, should be sufficient to meet operating requirements. Our cash and short-term investments are available for strategic investments, mergers and acquisitions, other potential large-scale needs and to fund our share repurchase program.

     In accordance with various manufacturing agreements, we are required to provide manufacturers with pro forma estimated production requirements by product and in accordance with minimum production runs. From time to time, we may not take possession of all merchandise that has been produced by the manufacturer. However, we record our obligation to the manufacturer at the time finished inventory is produced.

     Inflation did not have a significant impact on our results during the 2003 nine months.

20

Table of Contents

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     This quarterly report on Form 10-Q (“Form 10-Q”) contains forward-looking statements that anticipate results based upon management’s plans that are subject to uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations of future results. These statements may be identified by use of the words “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar words used in conjunction with discussions of future operations or financial performance. We cannot ensure that any forward-looking statements will be accurate. Actual results could differ materially if underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties develop. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of future events or developments.

     In Item 1 of the 2002 Form 10-K, as well as in press releases, live webcasts and this Form 10-Q, we discuss in more detail various factors that could cause actual results to vary from expectations. Investors should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors and should not consider such factors to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties that may affect our business.

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

     Within the 90 days prior to the filing of this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(c). Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports that we file with or submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. There were no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect those controls subsequent to the date of their last evaluation.

Part II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     On November 9, 2001, prior to its merger with Medicis, Ascent received notice that Triumph-Connecticut Limited Partnership and related parties (“Triumph”) had brought a civil action against it in Massachusetts. In the action, the Triumph group claims that the execution by Ascent of the merger agreement and the consummation of the merger without the consent of the Triumph group or the payment to the Triumph group of a specified amount breaches the terms of a January 1997 securities purchase agreement, the terms of warrants issued to the Triumph group, an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and certain deceptive trade laws. The Triumph group is seeking damages in an amount not less than $22.1 million, plus treble damages. A trial in the action has been rescheduled for late calendar 2003. The Company believes that the claims of the Triumph group are without merit and we are vigorously contesting and defending this suit.

     The Company and certain of its subsidiaries are parties to other actions and proceedings incident to their businesses, including litigation regarding its intellectual property, challenges to the enforceability or validity of its intellectual property and claims that its products infringe on the intellectual property rights of others.

     The Company believes that the ultimate outcome with respect to these matters, based on the information currently available to the Company, is either covered by insurance and/or established reserves, or in some cases rights of offset, or in the aggregate should not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial position or results of operations. There can be no assurance, however, that an adverse determination on any action or proceeding will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations, or that the Company will be able to realize the full amount of any indemnification obligation or offset that any person may have to the Company or that any such indemnification or offset will adequately cover any liability.

21

Table of Contents

Item 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)

Exhibits

(b)

During the quarter ended March 31, 2003, the Company filed the following reports on Form 8-K with the SEC:

	(i)		Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 15, 2003, which announced that Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. entered into a license and optional purchase agreement with Medicis for four branded prescription lines for sale in the United States and Puerto Rico.
	(ii)		Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 10, 2003, which announced that the Company had entered into an agreement to acquire all outstanding shares in HA North American Sales AB from the Q-Med Group.
	(iii)		Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 3, 2003, which announced that the Company had received approval of its New Drug Application from the United States Food and Drug Administration to market its new LOPROX® Shampoo (ciclopirox) 1%.
	(iv)		Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 10, 2003, which announced the closing of the Company’s acquisition of all outstanding shares in HA North American Sales AB from the Q-Med Group for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $160 million.

     The following pages include the Signatures page for this Form 10-Q, and Certifications of our CEO and our CFO, and (at Exhibit 99.1 of this report) a further Certification by our CEO and our CFO.

     The form of Certification immediately following the Signatures page is required by Rule 13a-14 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 in accord with Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Section 302 Certification”). The Section 302 Certification includes references to an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” and its “internal controls and procedures for financial reporting.” Item 4 of Part I of this Quarterly Report presents the conclusions of the CEO and CFO about the effectiveness of such controls based on and as of the date of such evaluation (relating to Item 4 of the Section 302 Certification), and contains additional information concerning disclosures to our Audit Committee and independent auditors with regard to deficiencies in internal controls and fraud (Item 5 of the Section 302 Certification) and related matters (Item 6 of the Section 302 Certification).

     The second form of Certification (as set forth at Exhibit 99.1) is required by section 1350 of chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

22

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

23

Table of Contents

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Jonah Shacknai, certify that:

1.		I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation;
2.		Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;
3.		Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;
4.		The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

	a)		designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;
	b)		evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and
	c)		presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors:

	a)		all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and
	b)		any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

6.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date: May 15, 2003

JONAH SHACKNAI

/s/ JONAH SHACKNAI

24

Table of Contents

I, Mark A. Prygocki, Sr., certify that:

1.		I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation;
2.		Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;
3.		Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;
4.		The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

	a.		designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;
	b.		evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and
	c.		presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors:

	a.		all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and
	b.		any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

6.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date: May 15, 2003

MARK A. PRYGOCKI, SR.

/s/ MARK A. PRYGOCKI, SR.

25

Table of Contents

Exhibit Index

26