Medicis Pharmaceutical (MRX)

[Investorman]

Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation: Company Report

Medicis Pharmaceutical is in the skin trade. The company markets prescription skin products such as DYNACIN and TRIAZ acne medications; head lice treatment OVIDE; skin discoloration and hyperpigmentation treatments LUSTRA and LUSTRA-AF; and antifungal and corticosteroid products acquired from what is now Aventis. Medicis' customers are primarily such wholesale distributors as Cardinal Health (22% of sales) and McKesson (18%). Although the company continues to sell ESOTERICA over-the-counter skin creams and moisturizers, it is focused primarily on expanding its lucrative prescription business. Medicis Pharmaceutical, which has acquired Ascent Pediatrics, licenses all manufacturing of its products to other companies.