Andrx Comments on FTC Investigation Rumors.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 1, 1999--

Andrx Corporation (Nasdaq:ADRX) today commented on the most recent rumors concerning an Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) investigation into the Stipulation and Agreement which Andrx entered into with Hoechst Marion Roussel, Inc. (Hoechst) in September 1997. Andrx chose to disclose the existence of this investigation in October, 1998. Nevertheless, it was inaccurately reported yesterday that federal antitrust officials have determined to recommend that the Commission file a lawsuit targeting the Stipulation. Andrx has confirmed that the FTC staff's investigation is continuing, a final staff determination has not been made, and that no decision has been made either by FTC's staff management or by the Commission itself to proceed to any next steps.

The news reports state that FTC wants to alert companies that agreements which keep generics out of the market until a patent expires violate antitrust laws. Andrx did not speak with the initial reporter of this story, as her message was left with a marketing representative of a subsidiary. However, the Andrx-Hoechst Stipulation in fact actually guaranteed that Andrx would be able to safely market its product by no later than January 2000 without fear of additional court litigation. It also enabled Andrx to pursue a strategy which resulted in the resolution of its patent litigation in June 1999 (before receiving a lower Court decision on any of the critical elements of the case) and the introduction of Andrx' generic version of Cardizem(R) CD that same month.

"We understand the FTC's desire to foster generic competition," said Elliot F. Hahn, Ph.D, president of Andrx. "We firmly believe that Andrx has taken every opportunity to promote generic competition in just that way, and we continue to believe the Stipulation accomplished that result." Scott Lodin, Andrx vice president and general counsel added, "To achieve that goal, we ask that the FTC join our efforts to have FDA adopt regulations which both encourage generic competition and prevents prolonged or indefinite delays in the marketing of generic drug products, to have judicial reforms which will allow these patent cases to be resolved expeditiously, and to legislatively even the playing field so that generic companies can enter the marketplace without risking their very existence while brand companies can rely, without any risk, on their patents and the uncertainties of litigation to delay or prevent competition."

Forward-looking statements (statements which are not historical facts) in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. For this purpose, any statements contained in this report that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "could," "would," "estimate," or "continue" or the negative other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including those risks and uncertainties detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This release and additional information about Andrx Corporation are also available on the Internet at: http://www.andrx.com