ALPHARMA ANNOUNCES TWO FDA APPROVALS - MINOXIDIL TOPICAL SOLUTION AND MICONAZOLE NITRATE VAGINAL CREAM.

FORT LEE, NJ--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 8, 1996--ALPHARMA INC. (NYSE:ALO) today announced that its U.S. Pharmaceuticals Division, which manufactures and markets specialty generic pharmaceuticals, received approval from the Food and Drug Administration to manufacture and market Minoxidil Topical Solution, 2% and Miconazole Nitrate Vaginal Cream, 2%.

Minoxidil Topical Solution is the generic equivalent of the branded product, Rogaine(R). Until February 9, 1996, Rogaine was sold as a prescription product and had annual sales of approximately $100 million. Now, as an over-the-counter product, the market is anticipated to experience rapid growth.

Minoxidil Topical Solution, indicated for the treatment of male pattern baldness, will be marketed by ALPHARMA's U.S. Pharmaceuticals Division under its Barre(R) label and store brand labels, packaged in a single 60 mL bottle and a twin-pack. Shipments are expected to commence during the second quarter.

Miconazole Vaginal Cream is the generic equivalent of the branded product, Monistat(R)-7 Vaginal Cream, which along with other competitive products, currently has annual revenues in excess of $100 million. The product, indicated for the treatment of vaginal yeast infections and the external itching and irritation associated with such yeast infections, will be available in packages with seven disposable applicators or a single reusable applicator.

Miconazole Vaginal Cream will be marketed by ALPHARMA's U.S. Pharmaceuticals Division under its NMC(R) label and store brand labels, along with its Miconazole Vaginal Suppositories and Clotrimazole Vaginal Cream. The approval of Miconazole Vaginal Cream positions ALPHARMA as the only company with ANDA approvals for all three products and solidifies ALPHARMA's leadership position in the $240 million feminine yeast infection treatment market.

Both Minoxidil Topical Solution and Miconazole Vaginal Cream are significant additions to ALPHARMA's consumer products line and strengthens its U.S. Pharmaceuticals Division as a leader in providing Rx to OTC "switched" products to the marketplace.

ALPHARMA is a multinational pharmaceutical company developing, manufacturing and marketing specialty generic and proprietary human pharmaceutical and animal health products. ALPHARMA is the largest manufacturer of generic liquid and topical pharmaceuticals in the U.S., has an established and growing market position in finished pharmaceuticals in Europe and the Far East, is a basic manufacturer of important specialty antibiotics, and is recognized worldwide as a leading provider of animal health feed additives for poultry and livestock, and vaccines for farmed fish.

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